title: Comparison of commonly used ICR stocks and the characterization of Korl:ICR.
abstract: Mouse is a commonly used animal in life science studies and is classified as outbred if genetically diverse and inbred if genetically homogeneous. Outbred mouse stocks, are used in toxicology, oncology, infection and pharmacology research. The National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS; former the Korea National Institute of Health) have bred ICR mice for more than 50 years. We investigated to provide users with information and promote accountability to the Korl:ICR. To secure the indigenous data, biological characteristics of Korl:ICR were identified by comparing with other ICR stocks. This domestic ICR stock was denominated as 'Korl:ICR'. Phylogenetic analysis using SNPs indicated that the population stratification of the Korl:ICR was allocated different area with other ICR. In addition, we measured litter size, body weight, body length, various organ weight, hematology and clinical blood chemistry of the Korl:ICR compared to other ICR. Otherwise, there are no significant differences among the biological phenotypes of Korl:ICR and other ICR. These results suggest that as a genetically indigenous source colony, the Korl:ICR is seperated (or independent) stock with other ICR. Also, we confirmed that there is no difference among the Korl:ICR and other ICR on biological phenotypes. Therefore, the Korl:ICR source colony might be a new stock in distinction from other ICR, it is a good milestone in securing ownership of the national laboratory animal resource. The NIFDS expects that the Korl:ICR mice will be useful animal resource for our domestic researchers.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Resources Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Resources Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Resources Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Resources Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Hae Deun
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Resources Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Resources Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Gyeong
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Sciences, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung Doo
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Animal Resources Division, Toxicological Evaluation and Research Department, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, Cheongju, Korea.
authors.forename: Myeon-Woo
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Chung
keywords: Breeder; Korl:ICR stock; Outbred; Rodent