Caesarean Sectioning and Cross-Fostering of the Mouse

A caesarean section is required if the recipient of an embryo transfer or any pregnant mouse has not given birth by the delivery time that is normal for the particular strain. It is commonly used to derive a strain of pathogen-free mice from a strain with an infection problem or one of unknown health status. It may also be necessary when some experimental procedures, such as embryonic tamoxifen administration or in utero electroporation that are known to cause difficulty in natural delivery, are to be performed during pregnancy. Ideally, use as a foster mother a female who has successfully reared one or more litters of her own and has given birth the same day or no more than 5 days before the day of operation.

Mouse

Caesarean section

Foster