Body condition scoring: comparing newly trained scorers and micro-computed tomography imaging.

A Body Condition Scoring (BCS) protocol is an easily learned tool that can be used as a means of body condition assessment for random populations of mice. Here, the authors use X-ray computed tomography technology to show that BCS is a quick and effective method for evaluating parameters such as muscle thickness and fat, and that the method is equally as accurate when employed by newly trained or expert scorers.