I want to study animal models of neonatal HIE, how old should preterm and term newborns be in mice?
The correspondence between the birth age of experimental rats and the birth age of children varies depending on the specific aspect being studied. Rats are often used as experimental models in biomedical research due to their physiological similarities to humans, their short gestation period, and their rapid growth and development. However, it's important to note that rats mature much more quickly than humans, so direct comparisons must be made cautiously and with consideration for these differences.
In terms of studying neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), which affects newborns, including both preterm and term infants, the age of the animal model is crucial. For studying this condition in mice, you would typically want to use neonatal mice that are equivalent in developmental stage to human newborns.
For preterm newborns, you would typically want to use neonatal mice that are equivalent in developmental stage to the gestational age at which preterm infants are born. This can vary depending on the specific research question, but preterm neonatal mice are often used within the first few days after birth to mimic the physiological characteristics of preterm infants.
For term newborns, you would want to use neonatal mice that are equivalent in developmental stage to full-term human infants. Again, this can vary depending on the specific research protocol, but term neonatal mice are often used within the first week after birth.
Ultimately, the exact age at which you would study neonatal HIE in mice would depend on the specific research goals, the strain of mice being used, and other experimental considerations. It's crucial to consult the existing literature and possibly consult with experts in the field to determine the most appropriate age for your study.
All the best
Sincerely thank you for your answer. Currently, our laboratory generally uses 7-9 day old rat models as full-term newborns and 3-5 day old rats as premature infant HIE models. However, as we have not found high-quality literature or guidelines as standards, we would like to further verify. Thank you again for your reply. Everything is fine
- Badges
- Science method