Laboratory Animal Science and Research Methods

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering laboratory animal species, scientific names, gestation periods, research terminology, and physiological traits as presented in the lecture transcript.

Applied research

The use of existing knowledge for solving specific biomedical problems.

Basic research

Research focused on advancing fundamental knowledge of biological processes.

Clinical research

Research that builds on knowledge gained from other forms and is always conducted on live animals.

The 3 R’s

The principles of reduction, replacement, and refinement used to guide humane animal research.

Animal Welfare Act (AWA) exclusions

The AWA does not cover birds, rats of the genus Rattus, or mice of the genus Mus.

Thermoneutral zone (TNZ)

The temperature range where animals do not need to use metabolic energy to regulate their body temperature.

Ringtail

A condition in suckling rats characterized by constricting rings around the tail, commonly caused by low humidity levels (e.g., $15\%$).

Metabolism cage

A specialized cage designed to separate and collect urine and feces from the animal.

Micro-isolator cage

A plastic cage that filters room air to provide a barrier for the animals inside.

Gnotobiotic

A research animal that is free of all microbes except for normal digestive tract flora.

Axenic (Germ-free)

Animals that harbor no detectable bacteria, viruses, or other microbes and lack normal digestive tract flora.

Specific pathogen free (SPF)

Animals that are confirmed to be free of certain known pathogens.

Knockout mouse

A genetically engineered mouse that has a specific gene turned off through a targeted mutation.

Mus musculus

The scientific name for the common house mouse.

Oryctolagus cuniculus

The scientific name for the European rabbit.

Bruce effect

The phenomenon where recently bred female mice may abort their pregnancy when exposed to a strange male.

Whitten effect

The synchronization of estrus in a large group of female mice when introduced to a new male or male odor.

Lee-Boot effect

The synchronization of estrus in female mice housed together in the absence of a male.

Harderian gland

A gland located behind the eye in rats and mice that secretes porphyrin, leading to red tears (chromodacryorrhea).

Chromodacryorrhea

The secretion of reddish discharge (red tears) from the Harderian gland, often observed in sick or stressed rats.

Watanabe rabbit

A hyperlipidemic strain of rabbit specifically developed for the study of heart disease.

Brown adipose tissue

Specialized fat used by animals like hamsters for temperature regulation and during hibernation.

IACUC

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee; performs inspections of research facilities every $6$ months.

Inbred strain

A strain of mice or rats developed through at least $20$ consecutive generations of brother-sister or parent-offspring mating.

Sprague-Dawley

A commonly used outbred stock of albino laboratory rats.

Malocclusion

The overgrowth of incisor teeth in rodents and rabbits, which can lead to emaciation.

Trichobezoar

A medical term for a hairball, which is the most common gastric issue in rabbits.

Wet tail (Proliferative ileitis)

A highly contagious bacterial disease in hamsters characterized by severe diarrhea.

Pelvic symphysis fusion

An anatomical process in female guinea pigs that requires them to be bred before $6$ months of age to avoid dystocia.

Scurvy

A condition resulting from Vitamin C deficiency, which must be supplemented in the diet of guinea pigs.

Precocious

Born in an advanced state; newborn guinea pigs are fully developed with hair and open eyes.

Mustela putorius furo

The scientific name for the domestic ferret.

Jill and Hob

The terms for an intact female ferret (Jill) and an intact male ferret (Hob).

Hyperestrogenism

A condition in female ferrets where they stay in estrus until bred, which can lead to bone marrow suppression.

Fur slip

A defensive mechanism in chinchillas where a large patch of fur is released when the animal is threatened.

Erethizon dorsatum

The scientific name for the North American porcupine.

Plantigrade

Walking on the pads of the feet, a gait used by porcupines.

Shake and bake method

A wildlife research technique involving coating an animal in fluorescent powder to track its trail at night with black light.

Zoonotic

Diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as Orf or Q fever.

Orf

Also known as Contagious Ecthyma or Sore Mouth; a zoonotic viral disease affecting sheep and goats.

Artiodactyla

An order of even-toed ungulates that includes cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.

Ruminant stomach compartments

The four compartments include the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.

Retro-orbital sinus vs. plexus

The sinus is the blood collection site for mice, while the plexus is the site for rats.

Zebrafish (Cyprinidae)

Valuable research models due to rapid reproductive cycles and transparent embryos used for developmental studies.

Mouse gestation

$19-21$ days.

Rat gestation

$21-23$ days.

Rabbit gestation

$29-35$ days.

Hamster gestation

$15-18$ days (the shortest among common lab animals).

Chinchilla gestation

$111$ days.