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.
Repository Citation
Rousmaniere, Holly, Rachel Silverman, Rachel A. White, Mark M. Sasaki, et al. 2010. "Husbandry Of Monodelphis Domestica In The Study Of Mammalian Embryogenesis." Lab Animal 39(7): 219-226.
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
Publication Date
7-1-2010
Publication Title
Lab Animal
Department
Biology
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/laban0710-219
Keywords
Short-tailed opossum, Stripe-faced dunnart, Sminthopsis macroura, Marsupialia, Gonadal sex-differentiation, Development in-vitro, Embryonic-development, Mouse genome, Maternal aggression, Gray, Placentation, Veterinary sciences
Document Version
post-print
Language
English
Format
text
