INTRODUCTION
There are several important reasons why mice are used frequently in biomedical research. This specie is relatively easy to maintain in a research setting, they can be handled and restrained with minimal effort, they breed well in the laboratory and they are economical when compared with larger laboratory species.
The research value of the mouse increased greatly with the introduction of inbred strains. Inbred animals are almost identical genetically; therefore their responses to experimental procedures are highly consistent. Inbred strains are particularly useful in genetics, toxicology, cancer research, immunology and as animal models of human diseases.
Outbred strains of rodents are genetically diverse. Breeding is designed to maintain this diversity. Outbred rodents are useful in areas of research such as embryology, teratology, physiology, dental caries and metabolic studies.