What animals are used to assess and monitor the health status of laboratory rodent colonies?

Sentinel animals are specifically utilized to assess and monitor the health status of laboratory rodent colonies. These animals are typically naïve and are housed alongside the main rodent population in order to detect potential health issues, such as the presence of pathogens or diseases. The use of sentinel animals allows for routine health monitoring through various diagnostic methods, including serology and microbiological examinations. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining the overall health of the rodent colonies, ensuring that the research conducted is based on healthy and disease-free subjects.

The other choices do not serve the same purpose. Control group animals are used as a baseline for comparison in experiments and are not specifically designated for health monitoring. Experimental animals are the subjects being tested in scientific studies and are influenced by the experimental conditions, which may include stressors or pathogens. Breeding stock refers to animals used in breeding programs to produce offspring, focusing on genetic quality rather than health surveillance.