These experiments were funded by the NIH grant #RAI093634A. We express immense gratitude to Jenny Powers, DVM, PhD, for her assistance in muntjac milking.

1. Mouse Milking Protocol
The methods described in this protocol were approved by IACUC.
1. Separation of the Dam from Offspring
<ol>
	<li>Select the dam to be milked. Choose a dam with a litter of 4 or more pups that is 8-12 days post parturition to provide maximal milk collection&#8212;although collection is possible at any time point post parturition up to 21 days.</li>
	<li>Separate the dam from her litter at least 2 hr before milking. 
	Note: Should one des...

<ol>
	<li>Dueling, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> Muntiacus reevesi. Animal Diversity Web. , (2004).</li><li>Pei, K., Taber, R., O'Gara, B., Wang, Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Breeding+cycle+of+the+Formosan+Reeves+muntjac+(Muntiacus+reevesi+micrurus)+in+northern+Taiwan,+Republic+of+China.">Breeding cycle of the Formosan Reeves muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi micrurus) in northern Taiwan, Republic of China.</a> Mammalia. 59 (2), 223-228 (1995).</li><li>Browning, S. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transmission+of+prions+from+mule+deer+and+elk+with+chronic+wasting+disease+to+transgenic+mice+expressing+cervid+PrP.">Transmission of prions from mule deer and elk with chronic wasting disease to transgenic mice expressing cervid PrP.</a> J. Virol. 78 (23), 13345-13350 (2004).</li><li>Van de perre, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transfer+of+antibody+via+mother's+milk.">Transfer of antibody via mother's milk.</a> Vaccine. 21 (24), 3374-3376 (2003).</li><li>Maden, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Genetically+modified+mice+produce+human+milk+protein.">Genetically modified mice produce human milk protein.</a> BioNews. , (2009).</li><li>Rodgers, C. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Practical+aspects+of+milk+collection+in+the+rat.">Practical aspects of milk collection in the rat.</a> Lab. Anim. 29 (4), 450-455 (1995).</li><li>Depeters, E. J., Hovey, R. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+for+collecting+milk+from+mice.">Methods for collecting milk from mice.</a> J. Mammary Gland Biol. Neoplasia. 14 (4), 397-400 (2009).</li><li>Knight, C. H., Maltz, E., Docherty, A. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Milk+yield+and+composition+in+mice:+effects+of+litter+size+and+lactation.">Milk yield and composition in mice: effects of litter size and lactation.</a> 84 (1), 127-133 (1986).</li><li>Hedrich, H. J., Bullock, G. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+laboratory+mouse.">The laboratory mouse.</a> , 735-736 (2004).</li><li>Nishimori, K., Young, L. J., Guo, Q., Wang, Z., Insel, T. R., Matzuk, M. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxytocin+is+required+for+nursing+but+is+not+essential+for+parturition+or+reproductive+behavior.">Oxytocin is required for nursing but is not essential for parturition or reproductive behavior.</a> Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 93 (21), 11699-11704 (1996).</li><li>Miller, B. F., Osborn, D. A., Lance, W. R., Howze, M. M., Warren, R. J., Miller, K. V. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine+for+immobilization+of+captive+white-tailed+deer.">Butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine for immobilization of captive white-tailed deer.</a> 45 (2), 457-467 (2009).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Mouse
There are several factors to take into consideration when collecting milk from a mouse, including 1) the amount of time set aside for collection, 2) the dose of oxytocin administered, 3) how many pups the dam is currently nursing and 4) the amount of time that has passed since parturition at the time of collection. Using previous studies as guidelines, we set out to optimize conditions for milk yield.
Previous research has directly correlated ...

Animal models provide insight into disease pathology that cannot be gained by in vitro analysis. To provide the most efficacious results, it is important to use an animal model that is closely related to the disease and species of interest. For example, the Reeves&#8217; muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), a small Asian deer1,2, and transgenic mice expressing the cervid prion protein (CerTgPrP)3 are useful animal models for cervid species. Both species are polyestrous, allowing year-round breeding, and therefore a consistent source for pregnancy-related tissues and fluids to study specific mechanisms in cervid biology. Studies of milk have a vast array of applications that are more simply (and inexpensively) accomplished in animal models than in humans. Researchers could investigate milk and colostrum as a potential source of 1) infectious disease transmission, 2) immunoglobulins transferred from mother to offspring in the development of passive immunity4 and 3) lactoferrin, a protein found in human breast milk involved in passive immunity that researchers are currently attempting to commercially produce5.
Collecting a substantial amount of milk from small animals can prove to be a difficult task. Rogers proposed an approach to collect milk from rats6, which was subsequently used in mice. DePeters and Hovey proposed two methods for milk collection, one using a manually-generated vacuum produced by a rubber pipette bulb attached to a Pasteur pipette, and a second requiring the construction of a milking unit, which is then attached to a vacuum source (such as a faucet) to harvest mouse milk7. Here we propose a simple, low cost method for collecting milk from both mice and Reeves&#8217; muntjac deer, which requires only readily available laboratory equipment and basic technical skills. Our method yields sufficient volumes of milk for various applications.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="1009">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="28">
			<td height="28" style="height:28px;width:360px;">Materials-Mouse</td>
			<td style="width:297px;"></td>
			<td style="width:236px;"></td>
			<td style="width:116px;"></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name of Material/Reagent</td>
			<td>Vendor</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Ketamine (KetaVed 100 mg/mL) (dose: 80-100 mg/kg)</td>
			<td>MWI/Vedco</td>
			<td>011075</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Xylazine (TranquiVed 100 mg/ml) (dose:5-10 mg/kg)</td>
			<td>MWI/Vedco</td>
			<td>NADA 139236</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Eye lubricant</td>
			<td>MWI/Apexa</td>
			<td>701013</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Oxytocin (2 IU/kg)</td>
			<td>Vet One</td>
			<td>501013</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="28">
			<td height="28" style="height:28px;">Materials- Muntjac</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name of Material/Reagent</td>
			<td>Vendor</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Midazolam (1-2 mg/kg)</td>
			<td>Amerisource Bergen Drug Corp</td>
			<td>924326</td>
			<td>optional: researcher can either use Midazolam on its own or BAM combination as an anesthetic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Butorphanol tartrate (Torbugesic) (0.45 mg/kg)</td>
			<td>Fort Dodge Animal Health</td>
			<td>NADA 135-780</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Azaperone tartrate (0.25 mg/kg)</td>
			<td>ZooPharm</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Medetomadine HCl (0.07 mg/kg)</td>
			<td>ZooPharm</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Antipamezol hydrochloride (Antisedan) (dose: 0.25 mg/kg)</td>
			<td>Orion Corporation</td>
			<td>NADA 141-033</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Oxytocin (10 IU/kg)</td>
			<td>Vet One</td>
			<td>501013</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="28">
			<td height="28" style="height:28px;">Equipment- Mouse</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name of Equipment</td>
			<td>Vendor</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">P-200 Pipetman</td>
			<td>Gilson</td>
			<td>F123601</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">200 &#956;L pipette tips</td>
			<td>Light Labs</td>
			<td>B-2004-SH</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">1 ml syringes</td>
			<td>MWI</td>
			<td>005427</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">27 gauge needles</td>
			<td>MWI</td>
			<td>002031</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;"></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="28">
			<td height="28" style="height:28px;">Equipment- Muntjac</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">Name of Equipment</td>
			<td>Vendor</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">15 ml conical tubes</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>21008-918</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">22 gauge needles</td>
			<td>MWI</td>
			<td>873</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">3 ml luer lock syringes</td>
			<td>MWI</td>
			<td>001377</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

milk collection methods for mice and reeves' muntjac deer

Animal models are commonly used throughout research laboratories to accomplish what would normally be considered impractical in a pathogen&#8217;s native host. Milk collection from animals allows scientists the opportunity to study many aspects of reproduction including vertical transmission, passive immunity, mammary gland biology, and lactation. Obtaining adequate volumes of milk for these studies is a challenging task, especially from small animal models. Here we illustrate an inexpensive and facile method for milk collection in mice and Reeves&#8217; muntjac deer that does not require specialized equipment or extensive training. This particular method requires two researchers: one to express the milk and to stabilize the animal, and one to collect the milk in an appropriate container from either a Muntjac or mouse model. The mouse model also requires the use of a P-200 pipetman and corresponding pipette tips. While this method is low cost and relatively easy to perform, researchers should be advised that anesthetizing the animal is required for optimal milk collection.

Mouse
From our experiments, we have determined that it is possible to collect approximately 100-400 &#956;l of milk from one laboratory mouse, dependent on several variables. These variables include 1) the amount of time set aside for collection, 2) the dose of oxytocin administered, 3) how many pups the dam is currently nursing and 4) the amount of time post parturition. Our studies have shown that the highest yield is obtained when the dams are separated from their offspring...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Milk Collection Methods for Mice and Reeves' Muntjac Deer at JoVE.com

Milk Collection Methods for Mice and Reeves&#039; Muntjac Deer

Milk collection from animal models facilitates various research avenues: understanding passive immunity, identifying pathogens responsible for vertical transmission and, through the use of transgenic mice, even commercial production of proteins found in human breast milk. Here we illustrate a simple method for milk collection in mice and Reeves&#8217; muntjac deer.

Milk Collection Methods for Mice and Reeves' Muntjac Deer

Animal models are commonly used throughout research laboratories to accomplish what would normally be considered impractical in a pathogen&#8217;s native ...

milk-collection-methods-for-mice-and-reeves-muntjac-deer

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

19.6K vues.  Colorado State University. Milk collection from animal models facilitates various research avenues: understanding passive immunity, identifying pathogens responsible for vertical transmission and, through the use of transgenic mice, even commercial production of proteins found in human breast milk. Here we illustrate a simple method for milk collection in mice and Reeves’ muntjac deer. 