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closeAUTHOR SUMMARY
Posted by Craig_Cooney on 01 May 2009 at 14:42 GMT
Mouse coat colors and their proportions are often used as visible readouts of gene expression. Evaluations made from these readouts include nutrition or drug effects on epigenetics and the gene expression arising from transgenes or from pigment producing cells in chimeras. In many studies, these readouts are estimated from subjective scoring of individual mice. Here we show a method by which mouse coat color proportions are quantified from digital photographs. We use the yellow agouti mouse model of epigenetic variation to demonstrate this method. We apply this method to live mice using a conventional digital camera for data collection. We use computer programs to convert the natural coloring of mice to standard, uniform colors that are readily quantified. 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 should allow for precise comparisons of mouse coats and mouse cohorts within and between studies.