title: Body condition scoring: comparing newly trained scorers and micro-computed tomography imaging.
abstract: A Body Condition Scoring (BCS) protocol is an easily learned tool that can be used as a means of body condition assessment for random populations of mice. Here, the authors use X-ray computed tomography technology to show that BCS is a quick and effective method for evaluating parameters such as muscle thickness and fat, and that the method is equally as accurate when employed by newly trained or expert scorers.
authors.affiliation: Instrumentation and Controls Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Bear Creek Road, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Easterly
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Foltz
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Paulus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001824:Body Constitution; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D008297:Male; D017056:Medical Laboratory Personnel / Q000193:education*; D051379:Mice; D010173:Palpation / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary*