The Roles of Animals in Veterinary Research -Research Project

Week 1

Provide Examples how animals are used by humans

Food
Clothing
Transportation
Sport
Exhibitions
Pets
Research

Why are Animals used for research?

• Biomedical sciences: Understanding how the body functions, how diseases develop, and how the immune and nervous systems work.

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• Pharmaceuticals: Developing and testing new medicines for safety, effectiveness, and potential side effects before human clinical trials.

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• Animal welfare and husbandry: Improving animal health, nutrition, housing, breeding, behaviour, and overall quality of life.

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• Conservation efforts: Studying animal behaviour, reproduction, genetics, and ecology to protect endangered species and preserve biodiversity.

What are the advantages for using Animals for research?

• Organs and body systems similar to other animals and humans
  

• Susceptible to the same diseases (public health risk)
  

• Short life-cycles allows animals to be studied throughout their entire life or across several generations
  

• Environment easily controllable to keep experimental variables to a minimum
  

• Ethical issues surrounding the use of human subjects

What are the limitations of testing on animals?

• Ethical concerns - Using poorly tested protocols (research methods or procedures) may cause unnecessary pain, suffering or distress to animals. Researchers have a responsibility to ensure studies are scientifically justified and follow animal welfare regulations.

Practical concerns

• Expensive to organise

• Recruiting suitable animals.

• Providing appropriate housing, food and veterinary care.

• Hiring trained staff.

• Covering equipment, facilities and treatment costs.

Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA)

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 regulates scientific research involving protected animals in the UK, requiring appropriate licences and measures to minimise pain, suffering and distress. It also requires suitable animal care and housing, including appropriate cage sizes, environmental conditions and enrichment, to protect animal welfare.

Whats are the 3P’s?

Phycological, psychological, Physical

What are the 5 Welfare needs?

• A suitable environment: A safe home with a comfortable resting place, hiding spots, and space to exercise.

• A suitable diet: Access to fresh, clean water at all times and the right kind and amount of food for their health and life stage.

• The ability to exhibit normal behaviour: Room and freedom to perform natural actions like running, digging, playing, or flying.

• Housed with or apart from other animals: The right social environment—whether that means company of their own kind (for social animals like rabbits) or living alone (for solitary animals like hamsters).

• Protection from pain, suffering, injury, and disease: Prevention, rapid diagnosis, and veterinary treatment when they are sick or hurt

What is Subjective measurement? (Measuring welfare)

Personal opinions, feelings and judgements about well-being.

What’s Objective measurement (Measuring welfare)

Factual (data on real events) information used to measure welfare, e.g. income or life expectancy.

What’s is qualitive measurement? (Measuring welfare)

Descriptive information about experiences and feelings, usually in words.

What’s quantitative measurement? (Measuring welfare)

Numerical data used to measure welfare, e.g. income or poverty rates.

What are the two main stress response systems?

• SAM axis (Sympathetic-Adreno-Medullary): Fast response to stress. Releases adrenaline and noradrenaline, increasing heart rate and preparing the body for fight or flight.

• HPA axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal): Slower, longer-lasting response to stress. Releases cortisol, helping the body maintain energy during stress.

What is an adaptive stress response?

A helpful, short-term response to a stressor that helps you cope with or resolve the situation.

What is a maladaptive stress response?

A harmful stress response that is too intense, prolonged, frequent or poorly regulated.

Maladaptive consequences

• Physical health: Increased risk of high blood pressure and cardiovascular problems.

• Immune system: Weakened immune defence and slower wound healing.

• Mental health: Increased risk of anxiety, depression and burnout.

• Cognitive function: Problems with memory, concentration and decision-making.

• Sleep: Difficulty sleeping and ongoing fatigue.

What is the SAM axis?

A fast response to acute stress that prepares the body for fight or flight.

Which hormones are released during the SAM response, and where from? (Stress response)

Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), released by the adrenal medulla.

What is the HPA axis?

A slower stress response involved in prolonged stress.

What is corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), and where is it released from?

A hormone released by the hypothalamus that signals the pituitary gland to release ACTH, activating the stress response.

What does progression mean in welfare?

When an individual's freedoms or needs become increasingly impeded, reducing their well-being.

What is CC (physical wellbeing)?

The animal's physical health, including nutrition, comfort and freedom from injury or disease.

What is BD (psychological wellbeing)?

The animal's mental state, including emotions, stress, fear and ability to experience positive feelings.

How does animal research relate to welfare?

Animal research may restrict an animal's freedoms and needs, potentially affecting its physical and psychological wellbeing.

What’s Ethical review?

A mandatory formal evaluation of a proposed study by an independent committee to ensure the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of participants are protected

How do the 3 R’s link?

Replacement - Can animals be replaced?
Reduction - Can fewer animals be used?
Refinement - Can suffering be reduced?