Tufts University and ClearH2O

5 groups of timed pregnant females






Regular Chow only
Regular Chow + 76A gel
Regular Chow + Boost gel
Breeder Chow only
Breeder Chow + Boost Gel
Cage Manipulation
 Cages were changed every Monday by Rodent Breeding Service (RBS) staff
 Cages were checked and gel added on Wednesday and Friday every week
 Each cage was taken off of the shelf, opened, and hand put in the cage whether gel was
to be added or not so that each cage was ‘disturbed’ 3x per week including cages that
didn’t need gel to avoid variability.

Pup Information
 Pup/litter deaths were recorded at cage change, health monitoring check or gel
replacement check
 Pups were weighed on P7, P14, P21, and P28 individually and weights were totaled
for litter weight and averaged for average pup weight in each litter
Total Pup Loss
100
90
Percent
80
70
60
50
40
30
Total Pup Loss
20
10
0
Regular Chow
Pup Loss
Regular + 76A
Pup Loss
Regular + Boost
Pup Loss
Breeder Chow
Pup Loss
Breeder Chow +
Boost Pup Loss
Regular Chow + 76A Female
Regular Chow Female
Boost Female
Regular Chow + 76A Pups P14
Regular Chow Pups P14
Regular Chow + 76A Pups P21
Regular Chow Pups P21
18
16
14
12
10
8
2/27 (P7)
6
3/5(P14)
4
3/12(P21)
2
3/19(P28)
0
Rodent Chow only Rodent Chow + 76A
Avg pup weight (g) Avg pup weight (g)
Rodent Chow +
BOOST Gel Avg
pup weight (g)
Breeder Chow only
Avg pup weight (g)
Breeder Chow +
BOOST Gel Avg
pup weight (g)

76A supplemented group demonstrated
significantly less pup loss
• 3% pup loss
• No lost litters


76A supplemented group demonstrated greater
average pup weights – up to 20% heavier than
controls
Recommend using 76A as a supplement for
pregnant females or breeders to improve pup
yield, and to improve weight gain for fragile strains