Laboratory Animal Veterinarians Research Articles

Opinion: Promoting the Welfare of Research Animals: The Need to Expand the Roles and Views of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians.

Opinion: Promoting the Welfare of Research Animals: The Need to Expand the Roles and Views of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians.

Perceptions of laboratory animal veterinarians regarding institutional transparency.

Institutions using animals for research typically have a veterinarian who is responsible for the veterinary care programme and compliance with regulatory obligations. These veterinarians operate at the interface between the institution's animal research programme and senior management. Veterinarians have strong public trust and are well positioned to share information about animals used for scientific purposes, but their perspectives on sharing information with the public are not well documented and their perceptions of transparency may influence how institutional policies are developed and applied. The objective of our study was to analyse the perceptions of institutional transparency among laboratory animal veterinarians working at different universities. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were used to describe perceptions of 16 attending veterinarians relating to animal research transparency. Three themes were drawn from the interviews: (i) reflections on transparency; (ii) reflections on culture; and (iii) reflections on self. Veterinarians reflected on their personal priorities regarding transparency and when combined with barriers to change within the institutions, sometimes resulted in reported inaction. For example, sometimes veterinarians chose not to pursue available opportunities for change at seemingly willing universities, while others had their initiatives for change blocked by more senior administrators. The sharing of information regarding the animals used for scientific purposes varied in how it was conceptualised by attending veterinarians: (i) true transparency; communication of information for the sake of openness; (ii) strategic transparency; attempt to educate people about animal research because then they will support it; (iii) agenda-driven transparency; selective release of positive stories to direct public opinion; and (iv) fearful non-transparency; not communicating any information for fear of negative opposition to animal research. Transparency was not perceived as an institutional priority by many of the veterinarians and a cohesive action plan to increase transparency that involves multiple universities was identified as a promising avenue to overcome existing barriers.

Correction: Definitions of research animal, laboratory animal, laboratory animal veterinarian, research veterinarian, and research animal veterinarian

Correction: Definitions of research animal, laboratory animal, laboratory animal veterinarian, research veterinarian, and research animal veterinarian

Definitions of research animal, laboratory animal, laboratory animal veterinarian, research veterinarian, and research animal veterinarian.

"Definitions of research animal, laboratory animal, laboratory animal veterinarian, research veterinarian, and research animal veterinarian" published on 01 Feb 2021 by American Veterinary Medical Association.

A Survey of Laboratory Animal Veterinarians Regarding Mouse Welfare in Biomedical Research

The quality of research animal welfare is undeniably linked to the quality of scientific results generated from the animals. Although mice are the most commonly used mammalian species in biomedical research, little information is available about what factors should be considered to promote future progress. To address this issue, the Animal Welfare Committee of the American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) surveyed laboratory animal veterinarians to obtain their opinions about the welfare of mice and to consider the roles of 5 factors that significantly affect animal welfare in biomedical research: husbandry, clinical care, experimental use, regulatory oversight, and training. The survey revealed that 95% of veterinarians scored mouse welfare as acceptable to excellent, although areas for improvement remain. These areas include: 1) training of researchers performing experimental procedures; 2) the frequency of monitoring mice likely to experience pain and distress due to experimental manipulation; 3) inclusion of the institutional veterinary staff in the monitoring of mice likely to experience pain and distress; 4) continued improvement in the environmental enrichment provided to mice; 5) the ability of the IACUC to ensure that instances of noncompliance are fully addressed in order to prevent reoccurrence both within laboratories and among other research groups at the institution; and 6) reliance on non-veterinarians to perform examinations, diagnose disease, and prescribe the treatment of sick or injured mice.

Surrogate Humane Endpoints in Small Animal Models of Acute Lung Injury: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study of Researchers and Laboratory Animal Veterinarians.

In many jurisdictions, ethical concerns require surrogate humane endpoints to replace death in small animal models of acute lung injury. Heterogenous selection and reporting of surrogate endpoints render interpretation and generalizability of findings between studies difficult. We aimed to establish expert-guided consensus among preclinical scientists and laboratory animal veterinarians on selection and reporting of surrogate endpoints, monitoring of these models, and the use of analgesia. A three-round consensus process, using modified Delphi methodology, with researchers who use small animal models of acute lung injury and laboratory animal veterinarians who provide care for these animals. Statements on the selection and reporting of surrogate endpoints, monitoring, and analgesia were generated through a systematic search of MEDLINE and Embase. Participants were asked to suggest any additional potential statements for evaluation. A web-based survey of participants representing the two stakeholder groups (researchers, laboratory animal veterinarians). Statements were rated on level of evidence and strength of support by participants. A final face-to-face meeting was then held to discuss results. None. None. Forty-two statements were evaluated, and 29 were rated as important, with varying strength of evidence. The majority of evidence was based on rodent models of acute lung injury. Endpoints with strong support and evidence included temperature changes and body weight loss. Behavioral signs and respiratory distress also received support but were associated with lower levels of evidence. Participants strongly agreed that analgesia affects outcomes in these models and that none may be necessary following nonsurgical induction of acute lung injury. Finally, participants strongly supported transparent reporting of surrogate endpoints. A prototype composite score was also developed based on participant feedback. We provide a preliminary framework that researchers and animal welfare committees may adapt for their needs. We have identified knowledge gaps that future research should address.

Commentary on two reports on animal models of COVID-19.

Commentary on two reports on animal models of COVID-19.

Cognitive Dissonance in Laboratory Animal Medicine and Implications for Animal Welfare.

People experience cognitive dissonance when they entertain 2 conflicting ideas at the same time. Cognitive dissonance may cause a negative emotional state, which can lead to engagement of compensation mechanisms to resolve the conflict. Here we describe a survey that explores cognitive dissonance in laboratory animal veterinarians and veterinary technicians and various ways in which veterinary staff manage dissonance associated with research animal use. Respondents-164 veterinarians and 145 veterinary technicians-were asked to rate their opinions of various statements on a sliding scale of 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree' or 'never' to 'always.' Statements assessed negative emotions (discomfort, powerlessness, frustration) and compensation mechanisms (devaluing, emotional distancing, shifting responsibility) as bases for inferring effects on welfare states of animals. Responses were evaluated overall and were compared according to level of training (veterinarian compared with veterinary technician), years of work experience (0 to 5, 6 to 10, greater than 10), and species tended (large, mixed, small species). Respondents strongly agreed that animal wellbeing and animal use in research were important. Respondents reported feelings of discomfort, powerlessness, and frustration associated with work. In addition, respondents reported feeling empowered to initiate changes affecting animal welfare. The most frequent compensation mechanism noted was shifting responsibility onto the IACUC and institutional rules. Devaluing the animals was another reported compensation mechanism. Responses to emotional distancing statements were divided. Survey responses supported the existence of cognitive dissonance associated with laboratory animal medicine. Potential negative and positive effects on animal welfare are discussed.

A Review of the Effects of Pain and Analgesia on Immune System Function and Inflammation: Relevance for Preclinical Studies.

One of the most significant challenges facing investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, and IACUCs, is how to balance appropriate analgesic use, animal welfare, and analgesic impact on experimental results. This is particularly true for in vivo studies on immune system function and inflammatory disease. Often times the effects of analgesic drugs on a particular immune function or model are incomplete or don't exist. Further complicating the picture is evidence of the very tight integration and bidirectional functionality between the immune system and branches of the nervous system involved in nociception and pain. These relationships have advanced the concept of understanding pain as a protective neuroimmune function and recognizing pathologic pain as a neuroimmune disease. This review strives to summarize extant literature on the effects of pain and analgesia on immune system function and inflammation in the context of preclinical in vivo studies. The authors hope this work will help to guide selection of analgesics for preclinical studies of inflammatory disease and immune system function.

Incorporating Laboratory Animal Science into Responsible Biomedical Research.

Biomedical research has made great strides in the past century leading to rapid advances in human life expectancy, all derived from improved understanding, prevention, and treatment of many diseases and conditions. Research involving laboratory animals has played a significant role in this medical progress. However, there continues to be controversy surrounding the use of animals in research, and animal models have been questioned regarding their relevance to human conditions. While research fraud and questionable research practices could potentially contribute to this problem, we argue that a relative ignorance of laboratory animal science has contributed to the "uncontrolled vivarium experiment" that runs parallel to the more controlled scientific experiment. Several variables are discussed, including husbandry, animal environment, social housing, and more, that can contribute to this uncontrolled experiment, and that can simultaneously decrease quality of life for rodent test subjects when ignored. An argument is put forward that laboratory animal veterinarians and scientists can and should play an important role in better controlling such variables. Similarly, the laboratory animal veterinarian and scientist should play an important role in responsible science by addressing complex interdisciplinary challenges.

Laboratory Animal Welfare. American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Series. Edited by Kathryn Bayne and Patricia V. Turner. Academic Press. Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Boston (Massachusetts): Elsevier. $199.95. xv + 318 p.; ill.; index. ISBN: 978-0-12-385103-1. 2014.

Previous articleNext article FreeHistory, Philosophy, and Ethics of BiologyLaboratory Animal Welfare. American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Series. Edited by Kathryn Bayne and Patricia V. Turner. Academic Press. Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Boston (Massachusetts): Elsevier. $199.95. xv + 318 p.; ill.; index. ISBN: 978-0-12-385103-1. 2014.Kyha D. WilliamsKyha D. WilliamsLaboratory Animal Resources, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina Search for more articles by this author Laboratory Animal Resources, Duke University, Durham, North CarolinaPDFPDF PLUSFull Text Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailQR Code SectionsMoreIn general, this book provides a very organized and detailed review of laboratory animal welfare and associated topics, regulations, and guidelines. The manner in which the chapters are designed and the layout of the print facilitate quick reference and review and enhance the reading experience. Of particular note are Chapters 3 (Regulations, Policies, and Guidelines Impacting Laboratory Animal Welfare), 4 (Animal Welfare Assessment Considerations), 8 (Experimental Design: Reduction and Refinement in Studies Using Animals), 9 (Animal Welfare Considerations in Biomedical Research and Testing), and 10 (Preservation of Animal Welfare During Unforeseen Events). Many concepts by the nature of the subject matter are interconnected, but the volume does include frequent chapters where the information, although presented in a slightly different manner, is redundant. This is particularly true for the overuse of the 3Rs concept across multiple chapters. Some chapters could potentially have been combined to streamline information.Despite that, this book would serve as a valuable resource for any laboratory animal veterinarian and for those preparing for specialty board examinations—i.e., American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) and American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW). The extensive and varied backgrounds of the authors of each chapter are also impressive and provide validity for the text. Further, the breakdown by species (including the five primary as outlined by the ACLAM Role Delineation Document, as well as others) provides many practical applications of the concepts, philosophies, and information presented in the preceding chapters. This further supports the use of this volume as a programmatic reference for facilities and institutions that use animals for biomedical and translational research, teaching, and testing. Previous articleNext article DetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 92, Number 1March 2017 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/690843 For permission to reuse, please contact [email protected]PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

Use of ultrasound imaging for the diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding in the bonnet macaque ( Macaca radiata).

Ultrasound is a powerful, low-cost, non-invasive medical tool used by laboratory animal veterinarians for diagnostic imaging. Sonohysterography and transvaginal ultrasound are frequently used to assess uterine anomalies in women presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). In the present study, we have evaluated the abdominal ultrasound of bonnet monkeys ( n = 8) showing spontaneous ovulatory ( n = 5) and anovulatory ( n = 3) AUB. The ovulatory ( n = 5) macaques showed cyclic AUB for 7-8 days. The anovulatory ( n = 3) macaques had irregular AUB with menstrual cycles of 40-45 days. The B-mode abdominal, colour Doppler and 3D ultrasound scans were performed during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Ultrasound examination revealed endometrial polyps in five macaques and endometrial hyperplasia in three animals. The width and length of endometrial polyps was around 0.5-1 cm (average 0.51 ± 0.23 cm × 0.96 ± 0.16 cm) with significant increase in endometrial thickness ( P < 0.0002). 3D ultrasound also showed a homogeneous mass in the uterine cavity and colour Doppler ultrasound showed increased vascularity in the endometrial polyps. Endometrial hyperplasia characteristically appeared as a thickened echogenic endometrium ( P < 0.0002). This study demonstrates the use of non-invasive ultrasound techniques in the diagnosis of AUB in macaques.

ESLAV/ECLAM/LAVA/EVERI recommendations for the roles, responsibilities and training of the laboratory animal veterinarian and the designated veterinarian under Directive 2010/63/EU.

Directive 2010/63/EU was adopted in September 2010 by the European Parliament and Council, and became effective in January 2013. It replaces Directive 86/609/EEC and introduces new requirements for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. In particular, it requires that establishments that breed, supply or use laboratory animals have a designated veterinarian (DV) with expertise in laboratory animal medicine, or a suitably qualified expert where more appropriate, charged with advisory duties in relation to the well-being and treatment of the animals. This paper is a report of an ESLAV/ECLAM/LAVA/EVERI working group that provides professional guidance on the role and postgraduate training of laboratory animal veterinarians (LAVs), who may be working as DVs under Directive 2010/63/EU. It is also aimed at advising employers, regulators and other persons working under the Directive on the role of the DV. The role and responsibilities of the DV include the development, implementation and continuing review of an adequate programme for veterinary care at establishments breeding and/or using animals for scientific purposes. The programme should be tailored to the needs of the establishment and based on the Directive's requirements, other legislations, and current guidelines in laboratory animal medicine. Postgraduate laboratory animal veterinary training should include a basic task-specific training module for DVs to complement veterinary competences from graduation, and continuing professional development on the basis of a gap analysis. A tiered approach to further training in laboratory animal veterinary medicine and science offers career development pathways that are mutually beneficial to LAVs and establishments.

A balancing act

Dr. Martin talks about the role of the laboratory animal veterinarian in balancing the integrity of research with the welfare of laboratory animals.

Institutional Training Programs for Research Personnel Conducted by Laboratory-Animal Veterinarians

Research institutions are required by federal law and national standards to ensure that individuals involved in animal research are appropriately trained in techniques and procedures used on animals. Meeting these requirements necessitates the support of institutional authorities; policies for the documentation and enforcement of training; resources to support and provide training programs; and high-quality, effective educational material. Because of their expertise, laboratory-animal veterinarians play an essential role in the design, implementation, and provision of educational programs for faculty, staff, and students in biomedical research. At large research institutions, provision of a training program for animal care and use personnel can be challenging because of the animal-research enterprise's size and scope. At the University of Michigan (UM), approximately 3,500 individuals have direct contact with animals used in research. We describe a comprehensive educational program for animal care and use personnel designed and provided by laboratory-animal veterinarians at UM and discuss the challenges associated with its implementation.

Venipuncture Techniques in Pet Rodent Species

Abstract Blood collection from companion rodents can be challenging. Although many blood collection sites have been developed by laboratory animal veterinarians, owners of pet rodents and companion exotic animal veterinarians may find venipuncture from these locations objectionable. The high risks of complications associated with obtaining a blood sample from a few of the described anatomic locations are unacceptable in companion animal practice. To minimize any risk of injury with venipuncture in these species, it is essential to know the anatomy, physiology, and behavior of the species from which the sample is being obtained. A clinician must understand the risks and benefits of venipuncture, the maximum amount of blood that can be safely collected, and the safest procedure, for the patient, through which that sample can be obtained. It is important for the veterinarian to carefully select the best diagnostic tests to maximize the return of useful clinical information based on the blood sample volume that is collected. Many, if not most, pet rodent species present to the veterinary hospital because of a disease problem, and balancing the risk of stress with venipuncture and sedation must be factored against the potential gain from the diagnostic test results. This article will focus on techniques that can be used to safely collect blood samples from these animals. Veterinarians must remember that each procedure described in this article must be tailored to the individual patient.

Workshop Summary: Detection, Impact, and Control of Specific Pathogens in Animal Resource Facilities

Despite advances, infectious diseases remain a threat to animal facilities, continue to affect animal health, and serve as potential confounders of experimental research. A workshop entitled Detection, Impact, and Control of Specific Pathogens in Animal Resource Facilities was sponsored by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) and National Institutes of Aging (NIA) and held April 23-24, 2009, at the Lister Hill Conference Center on the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Bethesda campus. The meeting brought together laboratory animal scientists and veterinarians with experience in fish, rodent, and nonhuman primate models to identify common issues and problems. Session speakers addressed (1) common practices and current knowledge of these species, (2) new technologies in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, (3) impact of environmental quality on infectious disease, (4) normal microbial flora in health and disease, (5) genetics and infectious disease, and (6) specific infectious agents and their impact on research. Attendees discussed current challenges and future needs, highlighting the importance of education and training, the funding of critical infrastructure and resource research, and the need for improved communication of disease risks and integration of these risks with strategic planning. NIH and NCRR have a strong record of supporting resource initiatives that have helped address many of these issues and recent efforts have focused on the building of consortium activities among such programs. This manuscript summarizes the presentations and conclusions of participants at the meeting; abstracts and a full conference report are available online (www.ncrr.nih.gov).

Evaluation of available diagnostic methods for Clostridium piliforme in laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Recent literature has indicated that animals seropositive for Clostridium piliforme may have negative findings on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. This study examines and reports on the results of serology, PCR and histopathology tests performed on a group of 20 laboratory rabbits seropositive for C. piliforme using the latest available diagnostic methodologies. The presence of the organism was not confirmed by either PCR or histopathology in this group of 20 for C. piliforme seropositive rabbits. This presents challenges for laboratory animal veterinarians and scientists wishing to establish the presence of the organism with commonly available diagnostic methods and means that clinical signs of disease in addition to diagnostic results must be interpreted together.

Idiopathic Chondrolysis Condition in Two Young, Wild-caught Cynomolgus Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) Reared in Captivity

Idiopathic chondrolysis is a human clinical entity typically reported in adolescent individuals. In this brief communication, we report 2 cases of presumptive idiopathic chondrolysis of the femoral head in Cynomolgus macaques and discuss the clinical symptomatology and pathology of the disease. In detail, we describe the histomorphologic changes of idiopathic chondrolysis and compare these findings with those typically observed in the primary differential diagnoses of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease and nonspecific osteoarthritis. Consideration of this entity among differential diagnoses in young Cynomolgus macaques with unilateral osteoarthritis could be important both for laboratory animal veterinarians and pathologists.

Mitigating Risk, Facilitating Research

The fundamental raison d’etre of the laboratory animal veterinarian, institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC 1 ), IACUC administrator, institutional compliance office/officer, training coordinator, and other related positions and groups at institutions that use animals for research, testing, and teaching is to ensure the humane, responsible, and productive use of animals in those activities. All of these people and groups support both science and animal welfare. The US system of animal welfare oversight has been covered in several review articles in recent years (Garnett 2005; NRC 2003), and all of the authors in this issue of the ILAR Journal allude to or cite key components of the policy and regulatory framework of oversight. Therefore, rather than an exhaustive review, we provide here a brief summary of the relevant documents and oversight bodies. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations (9 CFR), enforced by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Animal Care unit, apply to registered research facilities that use species covered under the act. The Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, authorized by the Health Research Extension Act (HREA), is implemented by the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW 1 ) and is applicable to all PHS-supported activities involving live vertebrate animals. The PHS Policy includes, by reference, the NRC Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide; NRC 1996). Eligibility for NIH (and other PHS) grant and contract support requires compliance with the