1
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Lee GH, Jo W, Park JS, Kang TK, Sung SE, Oh T, Kim K. Regular medical checkup program (in K-MEDI hub) to enhance the welfare of laboratory dogs and pigs. Lab Anim Res 2023; 39:24. [PMID: 37872597 PMCID: PMC10594746 DOI: 10.1186/s42826-023-00170-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The importance of animal welfare is being recognized worldwide. Recently, the increasing demand for enhanced laboratory animal welfare has led to clinically featured transformations of animal research institutes. This study aims to describe the process and findings of veterinary medical check-ups and its influence on laboratory dogs and pigs welfare. Regular medical checkups were conducted by the attending veterinarian twice a year to ensure the health and welfare of dogs and pigs in our animal research institute. Based on the findings from the medical checkup, we assessed the current health of dogs and pigs,providing reasonable treatments to prevent the risk of complications. RESULTS Blood tests and physical examinations revealed clinically relevant findings. Some of these findings were due to insufficient postoperative care after invasive surgical experiments and the remaining were predictable side effects after surgical experiments. However, one finding involved severe gum bleeding due to retained deciduous teeth. This animal was euthanized because it was judged to reach the humane endpoint. Majority of the dogs and pigs at our animal research institute were considered to be healthy, based on the comprehensive results of the medical checkups. CONCLUSIONS Regular medical checkups by the attending veterinarian established enhanced animal welfare, ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of animal studies. This pioneering veterinary animal care program can serve as a potential advanced guideline for animal research institutes to improve dogs and pigs welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwang-Hoon Lee
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Woori Jo
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Suk Park
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Ku Kang
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Eun Sung
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, 41061, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeho Oh
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
| | - KilSoo Kim
- Preclinical Research Center, Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation, Daegu, 41061, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Veterinary Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Turner PV, Bayne K. Research Animal Behavioral Management Programs for the 21st Century. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1919. [PMID: 37370429 DOI: 10.3390/ani13121919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Behavioral management programs have been developed commonly for research dogs and primates but rarely has program consideration been expanded to include all research species worked with. This is necessary to reduce animal stress and promote natural behaviors, which can promote good animal welfare and result in more robust and reproducible scientific data. We describe the evolution of consideration for research animal needs and define an umbrella-based model of research animal behavioral management programs, which may be used for all research species. In addition to developing a more comprehensive program, we emphasize the need for regular welfare assessments to determine whether the program is working cohesively and whether any aspects require modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia V Turner
- Global Animal Welfare & Training, Charles River, Wilmington, MA 01887, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
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3
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MacLellan A, Nazal B, Young L, Mason G. Waking inactivity as a welfare indicator in laboratory mice: investigating postures, facial expressions and depression-like states. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 36340516 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6251130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Animal welfare assessment relies on valid and practical indicators of affect. In mice, the most widely used research vertebrates, lying still with eyes open, inactive-but-awake (IBA) in the home cage, has potential to be one such indicator. IBA is elevated in barren, conventional housing compared with well-resourced, enriched housing, and predicts immobility in Forced Swim Tests, a common measure of 'helplessness' in depression research. In Experiment 1, using females from three strains (C57BL/6, Balb/c and DBA/2), we first replicated past findings, confirming higher levels of IBA in conventional cages and a positive relationship between IBA and helplessness. We then extended this research to three other signs of depression: changes in weight and sleep, and reduced hippocampal volume. Here, IBA positively covaried with body mass index, with sleep in DBA/2s and conventionally housed BALB/cs, and negatively covaried with hippocampal volume in conventionally housed C57BL/6s. In Experiment 2, we sought to refine the phenotype of IBA to improve its accuracy as a welfare indicator. Here, scoring IBA performed in hunched postures appeared to improve its accuracy as an indicator in Balb/c mice. Additional research is now needed to further refine the phenotype of IBA and to confirm whether it reflects states consistent with depression, or instead other underlying poor welfare conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen MacLellan
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Basma Nazal
- Formerly Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Lauren Young
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Georgia Mason
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
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4
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MacLellan A, Nazal B, Young L, Mason G. Waking inactivity as a welfare indicator in laboratory mice: investigating postures, facial expressions and depression-like states. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:221083. [PMID: 36340516 PMCID: PMC9627452 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.221083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Animal welfare assessment relies on valid and practical indicators of affect. In mice, the most widely used research vertebrates, lying still with eyes open, inactive-but-awake (IBA) in the home cage, has potential to be one such indicator. IBA is elevated in barren, conventional housing compared with well-resourced, enriched housing, and predicts immobility in Forced Swim Tests, a common measure of 'helplessness' in depression research. In Experiment 1, using females from three strains (C57BL/6, Balb/c and DBA/2), we first replicated past findings, confirming higher levels of IBA in conventional cages and a positive relationship between IBA and helplessness. We then extended this research to three other signs of depression: changes in weight and sleep, and reduced hippocampal volume. Here, IBA positively covaried with body mass index, with sleep in DBA/2s and conventionally housed BALB/cs, and negatively covaried with hippocampal volume in conventionally housed C57BL/6s. In Experiment 2, we sought to refine the phenotype of IBA to improve its accuracy as a welfare indicator. Here, scoring IBA performed in hunched postures appeared to improve its accuracy as an indicator in Balb/c mice. Additional research is now needed to further refine the phenotype of IBA and to confirm whether it reflects states consistent with depression, or instead other underlying poor welfare conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen MacLellan
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Basma Nazal
- Formerly Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Lauren Young
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
| | - Georgia Mason
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON, Canada N1G 2W1
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5
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Addressing the current challenges of transporting laboratory rodents. Lab Anim (NY) 2022; 51:210-212. [DOI: 10.1038/s41684-022-01018-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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6
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Domingues RR, Wiltbank MC, Hernandez LL. Pregnancy Complications and Neonatal Mortality in a Serotonin Transporter Null Mouse Model: Insight Into the Use of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor During Pregnancy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:848581. [PMID: 35360732 PMCID: PMC8960382 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.848581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are widely prescribed to pregnant woman. Although some SSRI compounds are known to cause pregnancy loss and fetal malformations, other SSRI continue to be used by pregnant women. However, several studies have associated the use of SSRI with adverse pregnancy outcomes: intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and neonatal morbidity. Nonetheless, interpretation of studies in humans are typically complicated by the adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by depression itself. Therefore, we used a mutant mouse model with genetic ablation of the serotonin transporter, the target site for SSRI, to unravel the role of the serotonin transporter on pregnancy outcomes. The serotonin transporter null mice had increased pregnancy loss (17.5 vs. 0%), decreased number of pups born (6.6 ± 0.2 vs. 7.5 ± 0.2), and increased neonatal mortality (2.3-fold). Furthermore, preterm birth, dystocia, and fetal malformations were only observed in serotonin transporter null mice. This genetically ablated serotonin transporter mouse recapitulates several adverse pregnancy outcomes similar to those in women undergoing SSRI treatment during gestation. Additionally, neonatal loss in the present study reproduced a sudden infant death phenotype as in humans and mice with altered serotonergic signaling. In conclusion, findings from this study demonstrate a role for serotonin transporter in pregnancy maintenance and neonatal health. Additionally, it suggests that the adverse pregnancy outcomes in women taking SSRI during gestation might be due to altered serotonin transporter function caused by SSRI independent of underlying depression. This is a critical finding, given the number of women prescribed SSRI during pregnancy, and provides the framework for critical research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael R. Domingues
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Milo C. Wiltbank
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Laura L. Hernandez
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
- *Correspondence: Laura L. Hernandez,
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7
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Cait J, Cait A, Scott RW, Winder CB, Mason GJ. Conventional laboratory housing increases morbidity and mortality in research rodents: results of a meta-analysis. BMC Biol 2022; 20:15. [PMID: 35022024 PMCID: PMC8756709 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over 120 million mice and rats are used annually in research, conventionally housed in shoebox-sized cages that restrict natural behaviours (e.g. nesting and burrowing). This can reduce physical fitness, impair thermoregulation and reduce welfare (e.g. inducing abnormal stereotypic behaviours). In humans, chronic stress has biological costs, increasing disease risks and potentially shortening life. Using a pre-registered protocol ( https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/handle/10214/17955 ), this meta-analysis therefore tested the hypothesis that, compared to rodents in 'enriched' housing that better meets their needs, conventional housing increases stress-related morbidity and all-cause mortality. RESULTS Comprehensive searches (via Ovid, CABI, Web of Science, Proquest and SCOPUS on May 24 2020) yielded 10,094 publications. Screening for inclusion criteria (published in English, using mice or rats and providing 'enrichments' in long-term housing) yielded 214 studies (within 165 articles, using 6495 animals: 59.1% mice; 68.2% male; 31.8% isolation-housed), and data on all-cause mortality plus five experimentally induced stress-sensitive diseases: anxiety, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression and stroke. The Systematic Review Center for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool assessed individual studies' risks of bias. Random-effects meta-analyses supported the hypothesis: conventional housing significantly exacerbated disease severity with medium to large effect sizes: cancer (SMD = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54-0.88); cardiovascular disease (SMD = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.35-1.09); stroke (SMD = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.59-1.15); signs of anxiety (SMD = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.56-1.25); signs of depression (SMD = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.98-1.49). It also increased mortality rates (hazard ratio = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.25-1.74; relative median survival = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.89-0.94). Meta-regressions indicated that such housing effects were ubiquitous across species and sexes, but could not identify the most impactful improvements to conventional housing. Data variability (assessed via coefficient of variation) was also not increased by 'enriched' housing. CONCLUSIONS Conventional housing appears sufficiently distressing to compromise rodent health, raising ethical concerns. Results also add to previous work to show that research rodents are typically CRAMPED (cold, rotund, abnormal, male-biased, poorly surviving, enclosed and distressed), raising questions about the validity and generalisability of the data they generate. This research was funded by NSERC, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Cait
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alissa Cait
- Department of Translational Immunology, Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - R Wilder Scott
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Charlotte B Winder
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Georgia J Mason
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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8
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Cooper TK, Meyerholz DK, Beck AP, Delaney MA, Piersigilli A, Southard TL, Brayton CF. Research-Relevant Conditions and Pathology of Laboratory Mice, Rats, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Naked Mole Rats, and Rabbits. ILAR J 2022; 62:77-132. [PMID: 34979559 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilab022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals are valuable resources in biomedical research in investigations of biological processes, disease pathogenesis, therapeutic interventions, safety, toxicity, and carcinogenicity. Interpretation of data from animals requires knowledge not only of the processes or diseases (pathophysiology) under study but also recognition of spontaneous conditions and background lesions (pathology) that can influence or confound the study results. Species, strain/stock, sex, age, anatomy, physiology, spontaneous diseases (noninfectious and infectious), and neoplasia impact experimental results and interpretation as well as animal welfare. This review and the references selected aim to provide a pathology resource for researchers, pathologists, and veterinary personnel who strive to achieve research rigor and validity and must understand the spectrum of "normal" and expected conditions to accurately identify research-relevant experimental phenotypes as well as unusual illness, pathology, or other conditions that can compromise studies involving laboratory mice, rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, naked mole rats, and rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy K Cooper
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - David K Meyerholz
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Amanda P Beck
- Department of Pathology, Yeshiva University Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Martha A Delaney
- Zoological Pathology Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Alessandra Piersigilli
- Laboratory of Comparative Pathology and the Genetically Modified Animal Phenotyping Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Teresa L Southard
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Cory F Brayton
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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9
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Walker RL, Saylor KW, Waltz M, Fisher JA. Translational science: a survey of US biomedical researchers' perspectives and practices. Lab Anim (NY) 2021; 51:22-35. [PMID: 34949847 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-021-00890-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
This national survey aimed to identify how biomedical researchers using vertebrate animals viewed issues of significance for translational science, including oversight and public engagement, and to analyze how researcher characteristics and animal model choice correlate with those views. Responses from 1,187 researchers showed awareness of, and concerns about, problems of translation, reproducibility and rigor. Surveyed scientists were nevertheless optimistic about the value of animal studies, were favorable about research oversight and reported openness with non-scientists in discussing their animal work. Differences in survey responses among researchers also point to diverse perspectives within the animal research community on these matters. Most significant was variability associated with the primary type of animal that surveyed scientists used in their work. Other significant divergence in opinion appeared on the basis of professional role factors, including the type of degree held, workplace setting, type of funding, experience on an institutional animal care and use committee and personal demographic characteristics of age and gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Walker
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. .,Department of Philosophy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Katherine W Saylor
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Margaret Waltz
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Jill A Fisher
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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10
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Teymuori M, Yegdaneh A, Rabbani M. Effects of Piper nigrum fruit and Cinnamum zeylanicum bark alcoholic extracts, alone and in combination, on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice. Res Pharm Sci 2021; 16:474-481. [PMID: 34522195 PMCID: PMC8407161 DOI: 10.4103/1735-5362.323914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose: Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that is thought to be triggered via disruption of cholinergic neurons and enhanced oxidative stress. Therefore, antioxidant phytochemicals with the ability to fortify cholinergic function should help in preventing the progress of the disease. This study aimed at evaluating the combinational effects of two popular herbs one with anticholinesterase activity namely Piper nigrum and the other with antioxidant capacity, Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Experimental approach: In this study, P. nigrum extract (PN) (50, 100 mg/kg, ip) and C. zeylanicum extract (CZ) (100, 200, 400 mg/kg, ip) and their combinations were administered for 8 days before the injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg, ip). Mice were then tested for their memory using two behavioral models, namely the object recognition test and the passive avoidance task. Findings/Results: Administration of scopolamine significantly impaired memory performance in both memory paradigms. In the passive avoidance test (PAT) model, PN at doses up to 100 mg/kg and CZ at doses up to 400 mg/kg did not significantly alter the memory impairment induced by scopolamine. The combination of these two plant extracts did not change the PAT parameters. In the object recognition test (ORT) model, however, administration of 100 mg/kg CZ alone and a combination of PN (50 mg/kg) with CZ (400 mg/kg), significantly increased the recognition index (P < 0.05). Conclusion and implications: Two plant extracts when administered alone or in combinations affected the memory performance differently in two memory paradigms. In the PAT model, the extracts did not show any memory improvement, in ORT, however, some improvements were observed after plant extracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Teymuori
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I.R. Iran
| | - Afsaneh Yegdaneh
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I.R. Iran
| | - Mohammad Rabbani
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, I.R. Iran
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11
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Helke KL, Meyerholz DK, Beck AP, Burrough ER, Derscheid RJ, Löhr C, McInnes EF, Scudamore CL, Brayton CF. Research Relevant Background Lesions and Conditions: Ferrets, Dogs, Swine, Sheep, and Goats. ILAR J 2021; 62:133-168. [PMID: 33712827 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilab005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models provide a valuable tool and resource for biomedical researchers as they investigate biological processes, disease pathogenesis, novel therapies, and toxicologic studies. Interpretation of animal model data requires knowledge not only of the processes/diseases being studied but also awareness of spontaneous conditions and background lesions in the model that can influence or even confound the study results. Species, breed/stock, sex, age, anatomy, physiology, diseases (noninfectious and infectious), and neoplastic processes are model features that can impact the results as well as study interpretation. Here, we review these features in several common laboratory animal species, including ferret, dog (beagle), pig, sheep, and goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi L Helke
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - David K Meyerholz
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Amanda P Beck
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Eric R Burrough
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Rachel J Derscheid
- Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine Department, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Christiane Löhr
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Elizabeth F McInnes
- Toxicologic Pathology, Toxicology Section, Human Safety at Syngenta, in Jealott's Hill, Bracknell, United Kingdom
| | - Cheryl L Scudamore
- ExePathology, Pathologist at ExePathology, Exmouth, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Cory F Brayton
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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12
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Corbani TL, Martin JE, Healy SD. The Impact of Acute Loud Noise on the Behavior of Laboratory Birds. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:607632. [PMID: 33490135 PMCID: PMC7815526 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.607632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Husbandry procedures and facility settings, such as low-frequency fire alarms, can produce noises in a laboratory environment that cause stress to animals used in research. However, most of the data demonstrating harmful effects that have, consequently, led to adaptations to management, have largely come from laboratory rodents with little known of the impacts on avian behavior and physiology. Here we examined whether exposure to a routine laboratory noise, a low-frequency fire alarm test, induced behavioral changes in laboratory zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Twenty-four breeding pairs of zebra finches were randomly selected and exposed to the low-frequency fire alarm (sounding for 10-20 s) or no noise (control) on separate test days. All birds were filmed before and after the alarm sounded and on a control day (without the alarm). The zebra finches decreased their general activity and increased stationary and social behaviors after exposure to the alarm. Brief exposure to a low-frequency alarm disrupted the birds' behavior for at least 15 min. The induction of this behavioral stress response suggests that low-frequency sound alarms in laboratory facilities have the potential to compromise the welfare of laboratory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayanne L. Corbani
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica E. Martin
- The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Susan D. Healy
- School of Biology, Harold Mitchell Building, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, United Kingdom
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13
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Turner PV. Moving Beyond the Absence of Pain and Distress: Focusing on Positive Animal Welfare. ILAR J 2020; 60:366-372. [PMID: 33119093 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilaa017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
For many years, researchers, veterinarians, animal ethics committees, and regulators have focused on minimizing pain and distress as a primary goal of refinement when working with animals in science. More recent publications as well as a shift in animal ethics and public opinion have emphasized promotion of positive affective states, culminating in the concept of positive animal welfare. Robust measures are required to know when positive animal welfare states are occurring, and a number of measures are proposed and discussed. Regardless of whether there are newer methods available that focus exclusively on measuring positive affective states, consistent consideration of research animal behavioral programs, refinement, and adopting periodic stand-alone animal welfare assessments for all species involved will help to push the care and practices of research animals towards an increased focus on positive animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia V Turner
- Charles River Laboratories Inc, Global Animal Welfare & Training, Charles River, Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA
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14
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Pittman QJ. A gut feeling about the ketogenic diet in epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2020; 166:106409. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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15
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Turner PV, Barbee RW. Responsible Science and Research Animal Use. ILAR J 2020; 60:1-4. [PMID: 31930313 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This issue of the ILAR Journal focuses on the topic of responsible science as it relates to animal research. We start with the concept of the scientist as a responsible citizen and then move through multiple phases of research including careful experimental planning, reporting, and incorporation of laboratory animal science. The work of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) or animal ethical/oversight body in reviewing both animal use and contributing to scientific excellence is explored. Additional topics include protection of animal handlers from multiple experimental hazards, use of agricultural animals and wildlife studies, regulatory ambiguities, and harmonization of animal research. Rounding out the issue is a discussion of how animal care and use programs can enhance animal welfare while mitigating regulatory burden, and our responsibility to clearly communicate the ethical use of animals in advancing biomedical research. A deeper understanding of these topics can assist scientists in simultaneously advancing their research and animal welfare.
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Pessini PGDS, Knox de Souza PR, Chagas CDS, Sampaio EG, Neves DS, Petri G, Fonseca FLA, da Silva EB. Hematological reference values and animal welfare parameters of BALB/C-FMABC ( Mus musculus) inoculated with Ehrlich tumor kept in the vivarium at ABC Medical School. Animal Model Exp Med 2020; 3:32-39. [PMID: 32318657 PMCID: PMC7167238 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biochemical and hematological parameters are important tools for assessing the physiological profile of vital organs, and can be recorded to create reference values used for clinical diagnosis of diseases. Many research laboratories lack the means to establish their own set of reference parameters for use in their research, and while there are articles in the literature that discuss laboratory parameters for healthy BALB/c mice, few studies address the evaluation of these parameters in pathological situations, such as in mice inoculated with Ehrlich tumor. METHOD BALB/c-FMABC mice previously inoculated with Ehrlich tumor were maintained under appropriate conditions. Blood samples were taken for analysis of hematological parameters using automated and semi-automated equipment to create a set of the animal welfare parameters for evaluation. RESULT Results were obtained for all the hematological parameters for all groups analyzed. These showed: statistically significant differences between the initial and final tumor weight; comparable initial tumour volume and weight; an increase in leukocytes in the 7-day group with a characteristic predominance of lymphocytes and neutrophils; statistically significant changes in RDW in the 21-day group and in the welfare parameters in the 28-day group. CONCLUSION The study successfully defined and established reference values for hematological and welfare parameters for all groups analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Gabriel dos Santos Pessini
- Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the ABC University Health CenterSanto AndréBrazil
- Health Sciences Institute/Paulista University – UNIPSão PauloBrazil
| | | | | | - Emily Garcia Sampaio
- Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the ABC University Health CenterSanto AndréBrazil
| | - Daniel Santos Neves
- Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the ABC University Health CenterSanto AndréBrazil
| | - Giuliana Petri
- Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the ABC University Health CenterSanto AndréBrazil
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