The Balb/c mouse originated in 1923 by McDowell. It is a popular strain and is used in many different research disciplines, but most often in the production of monoclonal antibodies. Also classified as an inbred from the production of 20 or more successive brother-sister matings, the Balb/c mouse is albino and small in size.

• Low alcohol preference
• Low incidence of mammary tumors
• Resistance to atherosclerosis development when fed an atherogenic diet.
• High incidence of cardiac calcification, especially in males.
• Overall higher incidence of heart defects and spontaneous myocardial lesions of the right ventricle.
• Generally good breeding performance, with low incidence of barbering.
• Sensitivity to radiation.
• Low incidence of ovarian cysts.
• Moderate hearing loss usually occurs before one year of age.
• Average litter size of 5-7pups and weaning occurs at 19 days of age.