In some cases, there can be additional background light coming from the animal due to phosphorescence of the fur, skin, or perhaps contaminants on the animal. Typically, this background light is at a low level and only has a deleterious effect on images of deep low-level bioluminescent sources. In many cases this type of background light can be eliminated through use of an appropriate optical filter. Fur color of the host can make a difference, but for most applications this is not a problem. Black fur scatters photons more than does white fur.
Nude mice give the clearest signal.
For those applications in which this becomes a problem, the fur can be easily shaved or removed with depilatory. Albino, SCID and nude mice work well. Depending upon signal strength, black mice may need to be shaved. From 15 seconds to five minutes, depending upon the protocol. All rights reserved.