Module 7: Housing, management and occupational health

Question 1

Describe suitable housing and husbandry routines for laboratory animals, how conditions are monitored and identify the consequences for the animal resulting from inappropriate environmental conditions.

Answer 1

• cages need to provide adequate space, bedding/nesting material & environmental enrichment
• temperature & humidity control
• minimize exposure to loud noises, light & vibration
• adequate ventilation to prevent buildup of allergens, odors & airborne pathogens.
• Mimic natural light-dark cycles
• access to water & appropriate diets
  husbandry routines
• clean & sanitate regularly
• handle animals gently to minimize stress
• Monitor animal health & well-being through regular physical examinations, behavioral assessments, and health status checks.
  how conditions are monitored
• behavior: natural behavior or stereotactic behavior
• heart rate, fur quality, posture, stress hormones, vocalization, porphyrin rings
• clinical signs: anorexia, weight loss, diarrhea, facial expressions
  Consequences of Inappropriate Environmental Conditions:
• Stress and Behavioral Abnormalities
• Reduced Immune Function
• Physiological Disturbances
• Compromised Research Outcomes

Question 2

Describe how the animal facility is organized to maintain an appropriate health status for the animals and the scientific procedures. Do also describe the biological consequences of acclimatisation, habituation and training.

Answer 2

• good ventilation: hyper- & hypo-pressure rooms to prevent contamination
• temperature & humidity control
• mimicry of circadian cycles
• adequate enclosures: space, environmental enrichment, places to hide & rest, bedding/ nesting material, access to food + water, no loud noises, vibration or light, …
• regular health assessments: monitor behavior & physiological parameters
• facility set-up: single corridor vs. double corridor
• regular cleaning & sanitation
• trained staff & standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  biological consequences of acclimatization, habituation & training
• Acclimatization:
  o process by which animals adjust to new environmental conditions, such as changes in housing or handling procedures.
  o reduces physiological & psychological stress, leading to more stable data
  o Inadequate acclimatization results in increased stress hormones, altered metabolic rates & compromised immune function.
• Habituation:
  o animals become accustomed to handling or experimental apparatus.
  o minimizes stress responses, allowing for more accurate measurements
• Training: enhances ability to perform tasks reliably & reduces need for restraint or aversive handling. Well-trained animals exhibit reduced stress and improved welfare, leading to more reliable and reproducible data

Question 3

Name different methods for marking individual animals and state an advantages and disadvantage for each method.

Answer 3

• Ear tagging:
  o advantages: visible, inexpensive & quick to apply
  o disadvantages: initial discomfort, infection at site & can get lost/damaged
• Microchipping:
  o advantage: permanent, unique identifier & can’t be lost
  o disadvantage: surgical procedure, causes initial stress or infection
• fur clipping or dyeing:
  o advantages: non-invasive, painless, easily visible
  o disadvantage: temporary, thus requires frequent reapplication
• other methods: tattooing, collars, …

Question 4

List the correct procedures for ensuring health, welfare and care of animals during their transport.

Answer 4

• pre-transport: health checks, acclimatization, appropriate containers, appropriate vehicle (climatization, clean etc.)
• during:
  o regularly check animals for signs of distress or health issues.
  o Provide access to water & food
  o reduce handling & exposure to loud noises & unfamiliar stimuli
• after: acclimatization, health checkups, etc.

Question 5

List potential human health hazards associated with contact with laboratory animals and how these can be prevented.

Answer 5

occupational hazards: allergies, bites, scratches, zoonosis, chemicals, adjuvants,
radioactive substances & compassion fatigue
* Prevention involves:
▪ appropriate personal protection: gloves, masks, and lab coats.
▪ regular cleaning of cages & work areas to reduce allergen levels.
▪ regular health screening of animals to detect diseases
▪ handling animals gently and using proper restraint techniques
▪ following protocols for handling, storing & disposing of chemicals.
▪ Prepare syringes before experiments