Husbandry of Monodelphis domestica in the study of mammalian embryogenesis.
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.
Rousmaniere
Holly
H
Department of Biology, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH, USA.
Silverman
Rachel
R
White
Rachel A
RA
Sasaki
Mark M
MM
Wilson
Siobhan D
SD
Morrison
Jeremy T
JT
Cruz
Yolanda P
YP
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