title: Husbandry of Monodelphis domestica in the study of mammalian embryogenesis.
abstract: Monodelphis domestica, commonly called the laboratory opossum, is a useful laboratory animal for studying marsupial embryogenesis and mammalian development. Females breed year-round and the animals can be sustainably bred indoors. The authors draw on their own laboratory's experience to supplement previously published research on laboratory opossums. They describe a breeding protocol that reliably produces timed-pregnant M. domestica. Additionally, the authors discuss general laboratory opossum husbandry techniques and describe how to collect, handle and culture embryos.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rousmaniere
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: Rachel A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Mark M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Siobhan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Jeremy T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Yolanda P
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Cruz
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000502:physiology*; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D048309:Monodelphis / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy