2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC 1 Unit One – Introduction to Laboratory Animal Care

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC2 Chapter one The Field of Laboratory Animal Science

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC3 Laboratory Animal Science  Care of laboratory animals  husbandry  nutrition  behavior  health  production  management

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC4 Laboratory Medicine  diagnosis, treatment and prevention of laboratory animal disease  veterinary specialty

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC5 Role of Technician  eyes, ears, hands of the team that provides information from the animals to the investigator.

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC6 Laboratory Animal Science  recognized field in late 1940’s  animals used in experimentation Aristotle 2nd century Rome advances into early 20th century  Simon Brimhall (first laboratory animal veterinarian)  1950’s- humane awareness of animals in research, more government funding, public concern

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC7 Animal Care Panel  Group of Veterinarians  Lead by Dr. Nathan Brewer  1950  Goal to create a national organization professionally concerned with the production, care, and study of laboratory animals.

Animal Care Panel  Basic philosophy: Those who use animals for research have a moral obligation to provide for their needs and ensure their welfare.  Defined good husbandry practices  Defined medical care needs  became American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) in WIL Research Laboratories, LLC8

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC9 AALAS  National organization dedicated to the humane care and treatment of lab animals  two journals Journal of AALAS Comparative Medicine  certifies technicians  promotes education  Annual meetings

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC10 Other Associations  AAALAC Association for the Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International Formed in 1965 voluntary site evaluations and accreditation high standards WIL is accredited

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC11 Other Associations  National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR)  Incurably Ill for Animal Research (iiFAR)  American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia veterinarians

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC12 More…...  American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) board certified veterinarians (called Diplomats) Specialize in Lab animal medicine, completion of examination, etc.

Animal Models  Similar processes Nervous system development – zebrafish Brain development – monkeys Heart – pig  Many medical and surgical advances 2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC13

Differing views  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)  Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty USA opposed to the use of animals in research Distribute pamphlets demonstrations 2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC14

 Principle investigator/study director  Co-investigators and Research Technicians  Technicians  Veterinarian  Commercial vendors Research team

Principal Investigator  PI, Study director  Plans and coordinates all phases of the research work  Develops the Protocol  Reports findings 2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC16

Co-investigators and Research technicians  Observing the experimental animals  Performing laboratory tests  Collect, organize, and analyze the data  Can be animal technicians 2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC17

Laboratory Animal Veterinarians  Coordinate animal care activities  Advises investigators on proper animal model selection  Overall maintenance of animal colony health  Assure compliance with various regulations 2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC18

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC19 Laboratory Animal Technicians  reduce variables environment, handling, etc  provide consistent and thorough animal care  first to recognize and report potential animal problems  should have general knowledge of regulations concerning animal use in research

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC20 Roles continued...  keep accurate records accurate, legible  Willing to learn about the animals in their care  Follow SOPs  always ask if in DOUBT!

2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC21 Certifications  Through AALAS  Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)  Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)  Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)

ALATs should be able to:  Handle routine husbandry tasks – watering, feeding, bedding changes  Perform sterilization and sanitation procedures  Observe and report environmental changes  Handle, restrain, and determine sex of common lab animals 2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC22

Cont'  Use a variety of methods of animal identification  Recordkeeping  Recognize common signs of illness, note changes in eating, behavior, stool or urine  Provide routine treatments, such as administering medications or clipping overgrown toenails 2006WIL Research Laboratories, LLC23