A New Method of Reporting Data on Reproduction and Lactation in the Mouse

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Abstract
The prevailing system of reporting data on reproduction and lactation in the mouse is inadequate and misleading, for it places the brunt of survival failures on lactation rather than on gestation performance. A more reliable picture is gained by expressing the data as follows: Gestation index = No. of litters born alive/ No. of pregnant animals x 100; Viability index = No. of litters alive on 4th day/No. of litters born alive x 100; Over-all reproduction index = No. of litters alive on 4th day/No. of pregnant animals x 100; and Lactation index = No. of litters weaned/ No. of litters alive on 4th day x 100. The "Over-all Reproduction Index" is the most important for evaluating the adequacy of a diet for reproduction and lactation in the mouse. In an actual expt. using the old and new systems of recording data, the lack of viability was considered a lactation failure according to the old system. The new system indicated that whereas a purified diet may be inadequate for the production of viable young, it may be adequate for normal lactation performance.

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