Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) or
Analog Treatment of Mice
IACUC Standard Procedure
Effective Date: May 2024
Description of Procedure
Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), Bromodeoxyuridine, 5-Ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine (EdU), 5-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine (CldU), or 5-Iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IdU) administration are common methods used for in vivo labeling of tissues and dividing cells. For BrdU and derivatives, including EdU, CldU, or IdU, follow the directions as described in this document for BrdU.
Mice will be given BrdU in drinking water (0.25-1 mg/ml) daily for up to 6 weeks or as daily i.p. injections (~1-2 mg in 100µl of sterile saline) for up to 1 week. BrdU-containing water bottles must be shielded from light to prevent BrdU degradation and the water must be replaced twice per week. 1% glucose may be included in the drinking water during the first week to overcome taste aversion. The total duration of the administration is 1 hr to 6 weeks, after which animals are euthanized.
Mice will be evaluated 3-4 times per week for the first week, and weekly thereafter for standard humane endpoints. Mice will be evaluated by measuring bodyweight and the Body Condition Scoring (BCS) index.
Agents:
This procedure requires Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) or 5-Ethynyl-2´-deoxyuridine (EdU) or 5-chloro-2'-deoxyuridine (CldU), or 5-Iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (IdU). All agents administered to animals should be listed in the “Agents” section of the RIO IACUC protocol.
Adverse Effects:
Adverse effects should be listed in the “Adverse Effects” section of the RIO IACUC protocol.
Examples of potential adverse effects include: weight loss and decreased body condition score, diarrhea, lethargy, aggression, inflammatory skin lesions, decreased hair growth, and hematological adversity (anemia, leukocytopenia, thrombocytopenia).