Graham ML, Rieke EF, Mutch LA, Zolondek EK, Faig AW, Dufour TA, Munson JW, Kittredge JA, Schuurman HJ. Successful implementation of cooperative handling eliminates the need for restraint in a complex non-human primate disease model.
J Med Primatol 2012;
41:89-106. [PMID:
22150842 PMCID:
PMC3309152 DOI:
10.1111/j.1600-0684.2011.00525.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Streptozotocin-induced diabetic non-human primates are used to study efficacy and safety of innovative immunosuppression after islet transplantation. We implemented a training program for medical management of a chronic disease state.
METHODS
Cooperation with hand feeding and drinking, shifting, and limb presentation were trained utilizing predominately positive but also negative reinforcement in 52 animals compared with 28 macaques subjected to conventional physical and/or chemical restraint. The success and timing of behavior acquisition was evaluated in a representative subset of 14 animals.
RESULTS
Over 90% of animals were successful in behavior acquisition. Programmatically this resulted in complete elimination of chair restraint and negligible requirement for sedation. About half of the trained animals had no-to-moderate thymic involution, indicative of a substantial reduction in stress.
CONCLUSION
Cooperative handling enhances animal well-being. This contributes to validity of scientific results and eliminates model-induced confounding that can obstruct interpretation of safety and efficacy data.
Collapse