The consensus adopted by the NIH is that production of ascites potentially produces pain and distress and that in vitro production methods should be the default. Ascites production should be a last resort when in vitro methods have failed (Monoclonal Antibody Production, National Research Council). An excellent place to start looking for antibodies is the Antibody Resource Page. The Cell Culture Laboratory, Genetic Resources Core Facility is an excellent in house resource for production of monoclonal antibodies in vitro. Faculty members from Comparative Medicine are available for consultation and collaboration in Monoclonal antibody production.

If the decision is made to produce ascites:

• Individuals performing the procedure must be skilled
• Individuals must be familiar with recognition of pain in mice and preferably involve an institutional veterinarian
• Mice should be weighed at inoculation, and at least daily from day 5 post-inoculation
• Healthy adult mice used in the study must not gain more that 25% of their body weight
• Mice that are slow to gain weight or have hemorrhagic/cloudy ascites should be monitored closely and considered for euthanasia.

[Retrun to top]