The Breeding Program for the Wistar Hannover GALAS Rat
The WISTAR HANNOVER GALAS outbred rat strain is being bred as a self-maintained outbred population with permanent monogamous mating, i.e. without imigration of breeding stock from outside populations.
The WISTAR HANNOVER GALAS outbred rat strain is bred according to the Poiley rotation scheme(1960). The population is divided into 12 groups, each with a minimum of 12 monogamous breeding pairs. In each generation the following mating scheme between groups is applied:
Breeding Groups
Female (Dam)
Male (Sire)
Offspring
12
10
1
1
11
2
2
12
3
3
1
4
4
2
5
5
3
6
6
4
7
7
5
8
8
6
9
9
7
10
10
8
11
11
9
12
e.g.: a Group #5 female is mated with a Group #3 male. Their offspring the belong to Group #6.
Breeding performance is documented on breeding performance cards. These records are also used for pedigree documentation.
Breeding performance is a criteria for selection of breeding stock:
A. Selection of Future Breeder Candidates
Future breeders are not selected from the first litter produced by a breeding pair Future breeders are selected from litters of 10 to 14 weaned offspring. No more than four males and four females are selected from a single litter Animals with abnormalities on skin, tail, eyes, teeth, and genitals are not to be selected as future breeders.
B. Selection of Breeders at Set-up
- Animals with abnormalities on skin, tail, eyes, teeth, and genitals are not to be set-up as breeders.
- Future Breeders should be within the average weight range for Wistar Hannover stock at eight weeks of age. (see table below)
- Set up breeders at 9+ weeks of age.
C. Retention and Tear-down of Existing Breeders
Any pair which does not produce a litter within 6-8 weeks of its mating date or last litter date of birth is retired Pairs producing three successive small litters (<5 pups) are retired
Pairs that cannabilize two successive litters or for two successive litters lose more than 20% of their newborn pups prior to weaning should be retired The offspring should be able to be weaned between day 18 and day 21 of age.All breeders are automatically retired when they reach 9 months of age. Wistar Hannover GALAS Rat 13 Week Growth Curve
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