UMass AnSci 101 – Animal User Training

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the UMass AnSci 101 Animal User Training lecture notes.

Course Materials Policy

University policies and federal copyright laws prohibit students from posting, publishing, or selling course materials during and after completion of the course.

SciShield

An online platform used at UMass for logging in to complete BioSafety Training and quizzes.

Office of Research Compliance- IACUC

The office at UMass responsible for overseeing animal use compliance and enforcing regulations related to animal welfare.

Regulations for Animal Use

Governed by the Animal Welfare Act (USDA) and PHS Policy (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, NIH/NSF/NASA).

Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 1966

Enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it regulates warm-blooded animals (excluding mice, rats, birds bred for research, field studies, and agricultural animals for food/fiber/recreation) covering biomedical research and formal veterinary programs.

Public Health Service (PHS) Policy

A policy covering all vertebrate animals, which along with the AWA, guides animal use regulations; UMass applies the highest standards across all species.

IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)

A committee with 5 required seats (Chair, Veterinarian, Scientist, Non-Scientist, Non-Affiliated Member) that protects animal welfare, inspects facilities, reviews protocols, investigates concerns, supports research, and can suspend activities.

IACUC Approval

Required for all animal use, regardless of funding or lack of funding.

IACUC Protocol

A required regulatory document, similar to a contract, that details all aspects of animal use, including statistical justification, the 3 Rs, personnel, procedures, and euthanasia methods, and must not be deviated from.

The 3 Rs (Refining, Reducing, Replacing)

Principles for ethical animal research that require consideration of refining procedures to be less painful, reducing the number of animals needed, and replacing animals with tissues, cells, or computers where possible.

USDA Pain Category

A classification assigned to all procedures done with animals as described in an IACUC protocol.

Euthanasia Method

An acceptable method of ending an animal's life that must be described in an IACUC protocol.

Animal Protocol Transfers

The process of submitting and gaining approval for a form to move animals between protocols, even if the Principal Investigator (PI) is the same, to maintain accurate numbers and healthy colonies.

Proper Labelling and Expiration Dates

Requiring that all products used with animals are within their expiration date, labeled with a purchase date if no expiration, and labeled with contents and date if not in an original container.

Regular Inspections (Animal Care Staff)

Daily checks of animals and facilities made by Animal Care staff, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Regular Inspections (IACUC Committee)

Inspections of all animal rooms by the IACUC Committee twice a year, with findings reported to the Institutional Official.

Unannounced Inspections (USDA/APHIS)

At least annual inspections by USDA/APHIS of animals, facilities, medical supplies, and records, where deficiencies may receive a citation and reports are publicly available.

Reporting Concerns

A process mandated by PHS policy for communicating and investigating animal welfare concerns, with procedures in place to respond and protect individuals who report them.

Whistle Blower Protection

Legal protection (e.g., Massachusetts General Law Ch. 149 §185) preventing employers from retaliating against employees who report violations of law or risks to public health, safety, or the environment.

CITI Online Training

Required additional online training for animal users, including modules like 'Working with the IACUC,' 'Species Specific Module,' and 'Aseptic Surgery/Post Procedural Care' if performing surgeries.

OHSP (Occupational Health & Safety Program)

A program designed to protect animal users against potential exposures based on personal susceptibility, requiring participation if listed on a protocol, providing PPE, and ensuring awareness of health status and tetanus vaccination.

Zoonotics

Health-related issues that can be shared between humans and animals, such as Rabies, Tetanus, Q-fever, Ringworm, and Salmonella.

UMass Emergency Response Plan

A plan that broadly covers procedures for incidents like storms, security breaches, utility failures, animal disease outbreaks, fire, and reduced animal care staffing.

Surgical Records and Post-operative Records

Required documentation that must be completed on standard forms if performing surgery on animals, necessitating additional training.