Laboratory Animal Medicine Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards for VET 215 Laboratory Animal Medicine, Summer 2013, Introduction to Laboratory Animal Science

AALAS

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science

Role: a professional organization that promotes the humane care and use of laboratory animals through education, training, and advocacy.

APHIS

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Role: a branch of the USDA that oversees the use of animals in research and compiles data submitted by facilities on the number of animals used each year

AWA

Animal Welfare Act

Role: a federal law that governs sale, handling, transport, and use of animals and sets standards of care for animals in education, research, or exhibition

USDA

United States Department of Agriculture

Role: a federal agency responsible for administration and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.

AVMA

American Veterinary Medical Association

Role: Promotes health and welfare of all animals

• Establishes acceptable euthanasia methods (Report of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia)

• Parent organization for all veterinarians

• Involved with Veterinary Technology Program accreditation (CVTEA)

IACUC

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

AAALAC

Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International

Role: a non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in research and education through voluntary accreditation programs.

ACLAM

American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine

Role: a professional organization that certifies veterinarians in laboratory animal medicine and promotes high standards of veterinary care for research animals. Board certifies “Diplomates” through examination

ILAR

Institute for Laboratory Animal Research

Role: a division of the National Research Council that promotes the humane care and use of laboratory animals through education, research, and resource development. writes and updates the guide

NIH

National Institutes of Health

Role: a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that conducts and funds medical research.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Role: a federal agency that ensures safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education, and assistance.

The 3 R's in research

1. Reduction-reduce # animals used

2. Refinement-refine procedures to minimize stress or pain

3. Replacement – use cell, tissue culture or models

Give examples of how humans have benefited from laboratory animal research?

Humans have benefited from laboratory animal research through advancements in medical treatments, the development of vaccines, and improved surgical techniques, contributing to overall health and safety.

List the four levels of AALAS certification and be able to describe the roles and/or duties of each.

1. Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)

2. Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)

3. Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)

4. Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) or Laboratory Animal Manager

Each level reflects increasing knowledge and responsibilities in ensuring the care and welfare of laboratory animals.

Each require certification examination (1-3 years)

What is the first most commonly used animal in research?

The first most commonly used animal in research is the mouse, recognized for its genetic similarity to humans and rapid reproduction.

What is the second most commonly used animal in research?

The second most commonly used animal in research is the rat, valued for its adaptability and well-defined physiology.

Each phase of the research project requires planned steps:

1.Planning the experiment

2.Writing a proposal

3.Getting approval of the proposal for submission

4.Submission of an Animal Use Protocol (AUP)

5.Funding

6.Setting up the experiment

7.Performing the experiment

AUP

Animal Use Protocol

Role: a formal plan detailing the care and use of animals in research, ensuring ethical standards and regulatory compliance.

IACUC

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

Role: a group that oversees research involving use of animals

• Must determine if the research requires animals

• Determines if care & use are appropriate

• Compliance with federal, state, governmental regulations

• Must meet at least twice yearly

• Inspects facility twice yearly & submits findings to the IO

• Addresses concerns of the public

IACUC members

• A veterinarian

• Scientist experienced in animal research

• Person not affiliated with institution

Involuntary regulations

• Must be followed by law or to receive funding

Voluntary regulations

• Regulations that a research facility chooses to follow

LAS

Laboratory Animal Science

Scientific and technical information and techniques applied to laboratory animal care, governed by regulations, policies, and guidelines.

Initially written to protect dogs and cats from theft

the Animal Welfare Act

The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals?

A guide for appropriate standards of care and use of laboratory animals.

Who publishes the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals?

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

What animals are covered in the Animal Welfare Act?

The Animal Welfare Act covers all warm-blooded animals used in research, teaching, and testing, with some exceptions, including certain agricultural animals and birds.

What animals are not covered in the Animal Welfare Act?

The Animal Welfare Act does not cover birds, rats, and mice (cold-blooded animals have not been addressed)

Who are members of the research team?

1. The Principal Investigator (PI)

2. Co-Investigators

3. Research Technicians

4. Laboratory Animal Technicians (LAT)

5. Laboratory Animal Veterinarian

6. Lab animal facility administrator

Principal Investigator (PI)

• Scientist, usually has a PhD

• Plans and coordinates all phases of the research

• Writes the proposal; follows protocol; evaluates results for publication.

• Not necessarily “hands on”

Co-investigators and Research Technicians

• Perform tasks outlined in the protocol (AUP)

• Collect and organize generated data

• Duties depend on training & ability

Laboratory Animal Technicians

• Animal care

• Cleaning & sanitation

• Husbandry

• Feeding

• Record keeping

• Environment maintenance

• Medical treatments/abnormalities

• Write and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Understand and follow Animal Use Protocols (AUPs)

Laboratory Animal Veterinarian

• Advises PI on appropriate animal to use in the experiment

• Coordinates animal care activities

• Maintenance of the animal colony health (medical care)

• Assures compliance with regulations

• Assures compliance with policies and regulations that affect experimental animals

Lab Animal Facility Administrator

• Responsible for operation of the facility

• Supervises staff

• Assures appropriate records are maintained

Know the common areas of a research facility and what they are used for

• Animal Rooms

• Hallways

• Procedure Rooms

• Surgical Suite

• Cage Washing Rooms

• Feed & Bedding Storage

• Equipment Storage

• Necropsy Laboratory

• Personnel Areas

• Quarantine & Isolation

• Facility Security

Conventional

no special precautions are taken to prevent introduction of disease, single doors open onto a central corridor

Double-Corridor

clean/dirty, rooms have two doors. One door opens onto “clean” corridor, other opens onto “dirty” corridor, unidirectionalntraffic, enter through clean exit through dirty

Barrier

• special cages and procedures are used to prevent introduction of disease and/or the escape of disease.

• Air pressure carefully monitored

• Personnel shower before entering rooms, wear protective clothing

• All items entering/leaving room are autoclaved

• Animals are SPF(germ free)

Containment

• similar to barrier facilities

• HEPA filter on room exhaust

• Air pressure carefully monitored

• Personnel shower when leaving facility

• All items entering/leaving building are autoclaved

• Houses animals with infectious or zoonotic diseases

Variables in the animal room can impact animal behavior and health

1. Temperature

2. Humidity

3. Ventilation

4. Light intensity/duration

5. Noise

Microenvironment

cage

Macroenvironment

room

Ventilation

• (air exchange)

• Eliminates odors (ammonia)

• Reduces airborne microorganisms

• Maintains temperature & humidity

• The “Guide” recommends air exchange rate of 10-15 exchanges of fresh air/hr

Polystyrene cages

• Advantage: inexpensive

• Disadvantage: melts/warps at normal wash temps; low/moderate impact strength

• Often used as disposable rodent cages

Polypropylene cages

• Advantage: good at higher temperatures

• Disadvantage: opaque; limits monitoring

• Often used as breeding cages & for secretive animals

Polycarbonate cages

• Advantage: high impact strength; can withstand high wash
  temperatures; transparent; inexpensive

• Disadvantage: most expensive of the plastics

Galvanized Steel, iron and wood are not suitable cage materials
– Steel and iron rust
– Wood is porous

Galvanized Steel, iron and wood are not suitable cage materials
– Steel and iron rust
– Wood is porous

Shoebox Cage (Rodent)

• Solid bottom plastic cage

• Stainless steel lid

  • “V” shaped trough for feed and water

  • Snaps securely to prevent escape

• Filter top—Controls microenvironment

Filter tops

Suspended Cage System

• Cage is plastic or wire

• Hangs from aluminum or stainless-steel runners on a mobile rack

• If cage floor is wire, waste drops into a tray

Metabolism Cage

Designed to collect urine or feces

Gang cages

• House groups of same species

• Can be mobile or stationary

• Some contain special resting boards or perches

• Food & water in several locations

• House cats, primates, sheep, birds

Transport Cages

• Move from location to location

• Two types

  • Shipping crate; used by suppliers to ship animals to facilities that will contain food, water, bedding

  • Portable holding cage – used for movement within the facility.  Temporary housing that does not contain food, water, bedding.

• Handheld or on wheels

Activity cages

• Provides exercise for animal

• May contain exercise wheels, swings, jungle gyms, etc.

Inhalation Cages

• Enclosed chamber

• Strict control over environment

Recovery cages

• Similar to ICU cages

• Can control temp, humidity, oxygen pressure, etc.

Automatic system for water

Advantage

• Filters can be used in the line

• Decrease staff time

Automatic system for water

Disadvantage

• Can’t monitor water consumption

• Expensive

• Requires close monitoring (pressure valves, gauges)

• Animals must learn how to use

EX

Any animal not bred by dealer must undergo a 5-10 day waiting period to verify origin before selling or transferring to another facility.

Purpose Bred

animals specifically bred for research or testing purposes.

Conventional

Animals having unknown microflora

Sentinel animal

Method of monitoring quality assurance, they are susceptible to particular pathogens. Periodically testing is performed on them to identify presence of microorganisms in the animal colonies.

Gnotobiology

The study of animals with completely known flora and fauna minimizes variables in research

Axenic

“without strangers”, germ free, must be maintained in barrier facilities, food and water must be sterilized, which subsequently results in need for heavy supplementation of vitamins and minerals. Grow faster; absorb fat better, longer life span.

Gnotobiotic

Have well defined microflora, only microorganisms specified are present

Specific Pathogen Free

(SPF) Free of certain specified pathogens, all other microflora is unknown

Cesarean Derived

Animals delivered by cesarean section to ensure they are free from maternal pathogens, often used to establish gnotobiotic colonies.

Barrier-Sustained

Derived by c-section and then maintained in sterile, controlled, barrier environment. All supplies food, water, and equipment must be sterilized before introducing. Must keep animals from being contaminated with pathogens