Type: Inbred Strain;

Additional information on Inbred Strains.

Visit the JAX^® online Nomenclature tutorial.

Mating System: Sibling x Sibling         (Female x Male)   01-MAR-06

Breeding Considerations: This strain is a challenging breeder.

Species: laboratory mouse

H2 Haplotype: d

Generation: F243 (05-AUG-14)

Generation Definitions

Appearance

albino
Related Genotype: A/A Tyrp1^b/Tyrp1^b Tyr^c/Tyr^c

Description

BALB/c mice are particularly well known for the production of plasmacytomas following injection with mineral oil forming the basis for the production of monoclonal antibodies. Although not all BALB/c substrains have been examined for plasmacytoma induction, substrains derived from the Andervont (An) lineage (which includes BALB/cByJ) typically are susceptible, while those descended from BALB/cJ are resistant (see: Potter M ,1985). Mammary tumor incidence is normally low but infection with mammary tumor virus by fostering to MMTV⁺ C3H mice dramatically increases tumor number and age of onset. BALB/c mice develop other cancers later in life including reticular neoplasms, primary lung tumors, and renal tumors. Rare spontaneous myoepitheliomas arising from myoepithelial cells of various exocrine glands have been observed in both BALB/cJ and BALB/cByJ substrains.

White et al. reported a variation in thioglycolate medium-induced peritoneal leukocyte recruitment in 4 analyzed strains. The response of total leukocyte recruitment, from greatest to least, was C57BL/6J>BALB/c>CD1>129X1/SvJ. Variations were also found in the timeline of response and cell types most impacted.

Dorso-ventral vaginal septa is observed in some BALB/cJ females, and may contribute to non-productive females in this strain. (Cunliffe-Beamer T, Lab Anim Sci, 1976)

Additional Web Information

JAX^® NOTES, April 1988; 433. H-2 Haplotypes of Mice from Jackson Laboratory Production Colonies.
JAX^® NOTES, Fall 1990; 443. A Brief History of the Two Substrains of BALB/c, BALB/cJ, and BALB/cByJ Available from Animal Resources.
JAX^® NOTES, Fall 1990; 443. Ulcerative Blepharitis and Periorbital Abscesses in BALB/cJ and BALB/cByJ Mice.
JAX^® NOTES, January 1988; 432. Arthritis Models in the Mouse.
JAX^® NOTES, July 1987; 430. BALB/cJ vs. BALB/cByJ.
JAX^® NOTES, Spring 1990; 441. Imperforate Vagina and Mucometra in Mice.
JAX^® NOTES, Spring 2003; 489. Malocclusion in the Laboratory Mouse.
JAX^® NOTES, Summer 1992; 450. Myoepitheliomas in Inbred Laboratory Mice.
JAX^® NOTES, Summer 2003; 490. Hydrocephalus in Laboratory Mice.
JAX^® NOTES, Winter 2002; 488. Colony Expansions Completed for JAX^® Mice Strains C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ.
JAX^® NOTES, Winter 2006; 504. JAX^® Mice: the Gold Standard Just Got Better.
Mouse Phenome Database / SNP Facility
Sequence data is available from the Mouse Genomes Project at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute

Please enquire with Customer Service.

Phenotypic Data

Mouse Phenome Database
Festing Inbred Strain Characteristics: BALB/c
JAX^® Physiological Data Summary [pdf]
JAX^® Physiological Data Protocol [pdf]

Mammalian Phenotype Terms provided by MGI

assigned by genotype

Hld/Hld

either: BALB/cByJ or BALB/cJ

nervous system phenotype

abnormal dendrite morphology

• abnormally positioned by being late-generated   (MGI Ref ID J:12029)
• cell bodies are located below the intrapyramidal mossy fiber layer   (MGI Ref ID J:12029)

abnormal hippocampus morphology   (MGI Ref ID J:13989)

• • abnormal hippocampal mossy fiber morphology   (MGI Ref ID J:12029)
  • abnormal hippocampus CA3 region morphology
    • there is abnormal lamination of this cell layer resulting in superficial early generated neurons and deep late-generated neurons   (MGI Ref IDJ:12029)
  • abnormal hippocampus layer morphology
    • the anomaly is also seen in BALB/cByJ, F1 mice involving BALB sublines noted, and some CXB RI lines; C57BL/6J is considered wild-type for this feature   (MGI Ref ID J:13989)
    • this is secondary to a defect in neuronal migration   (MGI Ref ID J:13989)
  • • ectopic hippocampus pyramidal cells
      • located below the intrapyramidal layer; some of the ectopic cells have short, fine-caliber dendritic branches arising near the points of contact of the intrapyramidal mossy fibers   (MGI Ref ID J:12029)

abnormal neuronal migration   (MGI Ref ID J:13989)

cellular phenotype

abnormal neuronal migration   (MGI Ref ID J:13989)

Research Applications

This mouse can be used to support research in many areas including:

Cancer Research
Increased Tumor Incidence
Mammary Gland Tumors
Mammary Gland Tumors: late onset

Cardiovascular Research
Diet-Induced Atherosclerosis
Relatively Resistant

Immunology, Inflammation and Autoimmunity Research
Inflammation

Neurobiology Research
Behavioral and Learning Defects
high anxiety
Neurodevelopmental Defects
callosal agenesis, incomplete penetrance

Research Tools
Cancer Research
monoclonal antibodies, myeloma and hybridoma production
General Purpose
Infectious Disease
Anthrax
Salmonella
Tuberculosis (TB)

JAX^® Mice, Products & Services Conditions of Use

“MICE” means mouse strains, their progeny derived by inbreeding or crossbreeding, unmodified derivatives from mouse strains or their progeny supplied by The Jackson Laboratory (“JACKSON”). “PRODUCTS” means biological materials supplied by JACKSON, and their derivatives. “RECIPIENT” means each recipient of MICE, PRODUCTS, or services provided by JACKSON including each institution, its employees and other researchers under its control. MICE or PRODUCTS shall not be: (i) used for any purpose other than the internal research, (ii) sold or otherwise provided to any third party for any use, or (iii) provided to any agent or other third party to provide breeding or other services. Acceptance of MICE or PRODUCTS from JACKSON shall be deemed as agreement by RECIPIENT to these conditions, and departure from these conditions requires JACKSON’s prior written authorization.

In case of dissatisfaction for a valid reason and claimed in writing by a purchaser within ninety (90) days of receipt of mice, products or services, JACKSON will, at its option, provide credit or replacement for the mice or product received or the services provided.

No Liability

In no event shall JACKSON, its trustees, directors, officers, employees, and affiliates be liable for any causes of action or damages, including any direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages, arising out of the provision of MICE, PRODUCTS or services, including economic damage or injury to property and lost profits, and including any damage arising from acts or negligence on the part of JACKSON, its agents or employees. Unless prohibited by law, in purchasing or receiving MICE, PRODUCTS or services from JACKSON, purchaser or recipient, or any party claiming by or through them, expressly releases and discharges JACKSON from all such causes of action or damages, and further agrees to defend and indemnify JACKSON from any costs or damages arising out of any third party claims.

MICE and PRODUCTS are to be used in a safe manner and in accordance with all applicable governmental rules and regulations.

The foregoing represents the General Terms and Conditions applicable to JACKSON’s MICE, PRODUCTS or services. In addition, special terms and conditions of sale of certain MICE, PRODUCTS or services may be set forth separately in JACKSON web pages, catalogs, price lists, contracts, and/or other documents, and these special terms and conditions shall also govern the sale of these MICE, PRODUCTS and services by JACKSON, and by its licensees and distributors.

Acceptance of delivery of MICE, PRODUCTS or services shall be deemed agreement to these terms and conditions. No purchase order or other document transmitted by purchaser or recipient that may modify the terms and conditions hereof, shall be in any way binding on JACKSON, and instead the terms and conditions set forth herein, including any special terms and conditions set forth separately, shall govern the sale of MICE, PRODUCTS or services by JACKSON.