Lecture 4 Laboratory animals

Question 1

Animal experiment

Answer 1

Any use, invasive or non-invasive, of an animal for experimental or other scientific or educational purposes, which may cause discomfort, equivalent to, or higher than the introduction of a needle

Question 2

Categories of lab animals

Answer 2

1. WT
2. Genetically modified animals (GGO)
3. Animals who live in the wild, studied in own environment
4. Animals who lived in the wild, studied in laboratory

Question 3

Why animal research?

Answer 3

• Fundamental: acquire fundamental knowledge of man and animals about origin of diseases 35%
• Applied scientific research: development of medicines for the protection of health of man and animals 25%
• Regulatory testing: 30%
• Education: 3%

Question 4

Supervision of animal facility

Answer 4

Internal supervision: inspections by own employees and IvD (instantie van dierenwelzijn)

External supervision: inspectorate NVWA (Nederlandse Voedsel en Waren Autoriteit) (un)expected inspections

Question 5

Specific rules for housing for rodents

Answer 5

• Temp: 20-24
• Humidity: 55%
• Lighting: light levels within enclosure should be low. All racks should have shaded tops to reduce risk of retinal degeneration.
• Noise: rodents are very sensitive to ultrasound.

Question 6

Rules for lighting

Answer 6

Max of 350 lux, albino’s max 60 lux.

Question 6

Rules for ventilation

Answer 6

15-20 air refreshments per hour

Question 7

Different types of housing

Answer 7

o Conventional housing: Animal room with racks for lab animals
o Filtertop: Protection for animal and human
o IVC (individual ventilated cages): Connected to ventilator that controls airflow.
o Isolators: Necessary for infection studies. Can connect it to a biosafety cabinet, for more precise handlings.

Question 8

Personnel licences/articles

Answer 8

Art 2: license holder
Art 9: researcher
Art 12: animal care taker
Art 14: animal welfare officer