Colony Management (Genetics)

Genetically altered animals have entered most animal facilities during the past 50 years. They provide refined models to study different biological issues, but their use requires specific management and more resources when compared with their wild-type counterparts. Housing these models requires facilities to adapt old and implement new procedures. Resources, including assisted reproductive technology, genotyping, and genetic quality diagnosis are used daily when dealing with such colonies. As such, animal resource personnel must have a deep understanding of them in order to offer support to animal researchers. This chapter offers recommendations and strategies for managing Genetically Altered (GA) and wild-type (WT) animals, including breeding and handling and methods for preservation of their genetic integrity, all of which consider and implement the 3Rs.