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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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2009-01-01
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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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id | doaj.art-c2e2a0810e624402b0e81b2fc80e0a4f |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1932-6203 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-22T17:45:12Z |
publishDate | 2009-01-01 |
publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
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series | PLoS ONE |
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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