Mouse urine collection using clear plastic wrap

Qualitative urinalysis using Multistix reagent strips for the detection of urinary pH, protein, glucose, bilirubin, blood, ketone, urobilinogen and cr eatinine can be carried out with a few drops of mouse urine. The use of met abolic cages is not practical for such qualitative studies particularly whe n several animals are involved. Here we describe two different methods for collecting pure mouse urine. The single animal method (SAM) involves allowi ng a single mouse to urinate on Glad(R) cling wrap outside of the animal ca ge. The multiple animal method (MAM) involves partitioning seven mice into seven different make-shift compartments laid out on top of the cling wrap a nd allowing them to urinate. The voided urine, in each case, is then aspira ted into micro-centrifuge tubes using a Pipetman. Without coercion pure uri ne was obtained as early as 12 s. Volumes in the range of 10-250 mu l were obtained. Modifications of the SAM could prove useful for rat or mouse urin e collection under conditions of microgravity.