A method to quantify mouse coat-color proportions.

Coat-color proportions and patterns in mice are used as assays for many processes such as transgene expression, chimerism, and epigenetics. In many studies, coat-color readouts are estimated from subjective scoring of individual mice. Here we show a method by which mouse coat color is quantified as...

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Main Authors: Songthip Ounpraseuth, Tonya M Rafferty, Rachel E McDonald-Phillips, Whitney M Gammill, Eric R Siegel, Kristin L Wheeler, Erik A Nilsson, Craig A Cooney
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2009-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC2671165?pdf=render
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author Songthip Ounpraseuth
Tonya M Rafferty
Rachel E McDonald-Phillips
Whitney M Gammill
Eric R Siegel
Kristin L Wheeler
Erik A Nilsson
Craig A Cooney
author_facet Songthip Ounpraseuth
Tonya M Rafferty
Rachel E McDonald-Phillips
Whitney M Gammill
Eric R Siegel
Kristin L Wheeler
Erik A Nilsson
Craig A Cooney
author_sort Songthip Ounpraseuth
collection DOAJ
description Coat-color proportions and patterns in mice are used as assays for many processes such as transgene expression, chimerism, and epigenetics. In many studies, coat-color readouts are estimated from subjective scoring of individual mice. Here we show a method by which mouse coat color is quantified as the proportion of coat shown in one or more digital images. We use the yellow-agouti mouse model of epigenetic variegation to demonstrate this method. We apply this method to live mice using a conventional digital camera for data collection. We use a raster graphics editing program to convert agouti regions of the coat to a standard, uniform, brown color and the yellow regions of the coat to a standard, uniform, yellow color. We use a second program to quantify the proportions of these standard colors. This method provides quantification that relates directly to the visual appearance of the live animal. It also provides an objective analysis with a traceable record, and it should allow for precise comparisons of mouse coats and mouse cohorts within and between studies.
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spelling doaj.art-c2e2a0810e624402b0e81b2fc80e0a4f2022-12-21T18:18:19ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032009-01-0144e541410.1371/journal.pone.0005414A method to quantify mouse coat-color proportions.Songthip OunpraseuthTonya M RaffertyRachel E McDonald-PhillipsWhitney M GammillEric R SiegelKristin L WheelerErik A NilssonCraig A CooneyCoat-color proportions and patterns in mice are used as assays for many processes such as transgene expression, chimerism, and epigenetics. In many studies, coat-color readouts are estimated from subjective scoring of individual mice. Here we show a method by which mouse coat color is quantified as the proportion of coat shown in one or more digital images. We use the yellow-agouti mouse model of epigenetic variegation to demonstrate this method. We apply this method to live mice using a conventional digital camera for data collection. We use a raster graphics editing program to convert agouti regions of the coat to a standard, uniform, brown color and the yellow regions of the coat to a standard, uniform, yellow color. We use a second program to quantify the proportions of these standard colors. This method provides quantification that relates directly to the visual appearance of the live animal. It also provides an objective analysis with a traceable record, and it should allow for precise comparisons of mouse coats and mouse cohorts within and between studies.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC2671165?pdf=render
spellingShingle Songthip Ounpraseuth
Tonya M Rafferty
Rachel E McDonald-Phillips
Whitney M Gammill
Eric R Siegel
Kristin L Wheeler
Erik A Nilsson
Craig A Cooney
A method to quantify mouse coat-color proportions.
PLoS ONE
title A method to quantify mouse coat-color proportions.
title_full A method to quantify mouse coat-color proportions.
title_fullStr A method to quantify mouse coat-color proportions.
title_full_unstemmed A method to quantify mouse coat-color proportions.
title_short A method to quantify mouse coat-color proportions.
title_sort method to quantify mouse coat color proportions
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC2671165?pdf=render
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