The mouse as a model for developmental immunotoxicology.

The laboratory mouse has been the most extensively used model system for demonstrating postnatal immune deficits following perinatal immunotoxicant exposure. Assays utilized have historically been those developed for adult mice. Clear gaps in the available database exist, however, regarding the predictive strength of adult mouse immune screens for detecting either transient or long-lasting postnatal immune suppression. Limited information is also available regarding postnatal ages when various immune assays can be first employed to detect developmental immunotoxicity in mice. Furthermore, difficulties and expense inherent with breeding of in-bred mice, as used for adult immunotoxicity studies, raise questions regarding the feasibility of an in-bred mouse model as a standard, widely available developmental immunotoxicity testing system. These and additional concerns will need to be addressed as a model system with utility for studying developmental immunotoxicants is produced.