Implementation of the Artificial Feeders in Hematophagous Arthropod Research Cooperates to the Vertebrate Animal Use Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) Principle

Margareth Lara Capurro

doi:10.4172/2155-9627.1000167

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted to humans by hematophagous arthropods and these blood-sucking organisms are target to researches worldwide. The laboratory colonization of these species is an important factor in the development of innovative strategies to control these vectors. However, this maintenance requires blood to make these invertebrates able to complete their life cycle. Although live vertebrate animals are frequently used for this feeding procedure, artificial feeders are available as potential alternatives to replace the use of live animals in some situations, especially in vector colony maintenance. The aim of this commentary is to discuss the use of artificial feeding methods concerning the 3Rs principle application. The scientific community focused on vector-borne diseases studies needs to strongly consider these artificial feeding options as a bioethical alternative to maintain blood-feeding arthropods in laboratory.

Highlights

Many species of blood-sucking arthropods transmit different human pathogens during the blood-feeding behavior
Studies benefit tremendously when these species can be colonized in laboratory insectary facilities but in this case, to complete the life cycle, these anautogenous organisms necessarily require a blood meal to produce their eggs and small vertebrate laboratory animals like mice, rabbits, chickens and guinea pigs are frequently used as blood suppliers [2]
Liters of blood can be obtained daily from abattoirs or bought from other suppliers. These results argue favorably for the replacement of live animal use by artificial feeders, generating a lower demand of small vertebrate animals, it is important to highlight that a comparative evaluation in relation to colony fitness consequences is necessary in each specific case

Summary

Open Access

Implementation of the Artificial Feeders in Hematophagous Arthropod Research Cooperates to the Vertebrate Animal Use Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) Principle. André Luis Costa-da-Silva1,2*, Danilo Oliveira Carvalho, Bianca Burini Kojin and Margareth Lara Capurro1,2*

Introduction

Artificial Feeders

When the purpose is not to obtain experimental infection but to

Conclusion