Rodent and Tissue Bank Resources Information

Overseas Shipping (NIH grant recipients only)

The maximum age for shipping F344 rats overseas is 26 months. The maximum age for shipping F344 x BN rats overseas is 36 months. There is a 2- to 3-week turnaround time from order placement to delivery.

Packing

Animals are packed one age group per crate.

Cagemates

C57BL/6 animals are always shipped as cagemates. Other strains are not shipped as cagemates, unless specifically requested by customer on the NIA order form.

Air Delivery Customers

All air deliveries are shipped on Monday for Tuesday/Wednesday delivery. Animals must originate from the same barrier; barriers cannot be split.

Water Kits vs. Gel Packs

Both the water kit and gel pack are safe and effective. However:

• Gel packs have more stability
• Gel packs can leak and adhere to the bedding and the animals' hair
• Water packs may damage the box if the water kit valve is broken

Tumors

Tumors are considered normal in rodents aged 16 months and older.

Surgeries

There is a 2- to 3-week turnaround time from order placement to delivery for orders involving surgery.

Age of Maturity

Regarding age and reproductive function, F344 males and females reach their sexual maturity at approximately 7 weeks of age.

Animal Replacement

For animal replacement, the Office of Biological Resources and Resource Development (OBRRD) must be notified within 48 hours of delivery. OBRRD will provide replacement animals under the following conditions:

• If animals are "dead on arrival"
• If animals die within 48 hours of arrival
• If the incorrect animal type is delivered

Age of Replacement Animals

Animals will be replaced at the same age as the original order, unless the customer specifically indicates the same DOB.

Vendor Location for Animal Research Papers

The vendor, NIA at Harlan Sprague Dawley, or Charles River Laboratories, or Taconic Farms.

Orders for Collaborators

NIA grant recipients may order animals to be delivered to collaborators; however, the animals must be billed to the grant recipient.

Inclement Weather Policy

NIA will not make any shipments when the atmospheric temperature and/or the temperature within the transportation carrier are harmful to the shipment.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant Recipients

SBIR grant recipients are permitted to order if they are funded by NIA.

Weight of Animals

Customers are permitted to specify a weight range, but they are not permitted to request a specific weight.

Information Regarding DOB

NIA only can provide dates in a "month/year" format because the contractor weans several litters born in the same week at the same time and randomly assigns them to cages. Animals in the same cage do not have the same actual day of birth. NIA does not require the contractor to record the specific day of birth on the aging cage cards, only the month of birth.

Housing

If any animals die, no additional animals are added to their cage. Animals in the CR colonies are individually housed.

Tumor Tissue Identification

To indicate tumor tissue, vials have a red top, and larger vials are marked with a red "dot".

Vital Statistics Sheet

The Vital Statistics Sheet lists all information, including tumors.

Sample Numbers

DAB