1. Lab Animal Caretaker Training Course
A Review of the History of Animals in Biomedical Research and Their Contributions
Lab Animal Caretaker
Training Course
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2. History of Animals in Research
The study and use of animals has been documented since ancient times.
Scientists have solved many medical problems, cured diseases and developed vaccines – all by the use of animals in biomedical research.

3. History of Animals in Research
Let’s look at some medical advances discovered in the last few hundred years.

4. History of Animals in Research
In 1796 the world’s 1st vaccine was developed by Edward Jenner to protect people from small pox. He extracted serum from a cow pox - a virus similar to small pox and injected it into a person to prove his theory of immunity. After that millions of people received the vaccine. Small pox was a highly deadly disease killing millions of people worldwide for centuries, but was declared eradicated in 1980.

5. History of Animals in Research
In 1879 Louis Pasteur proved the theory of disease by inoculating sheep against anthrax. He went on to solve the mysteries of rabies, anthrax, chicken cholera, and silkworm diseases, all by studying animals. He developed the first rabies vaccine in 1885 with research done with rabbits.

6. History of Animals in Research
By the 1900’s medical discoveries were made much more frequently
Scientists, like detectives, have searched for the clues to solve the health mysteries of people and animals

7. History of Animals in Research
Lets take a look at some of the Nobel Prizes for Medicine and Physiology that have been awarded from 1901 to the present
Animal research has played a key role in each of these important discoveries

8. Nobel Prizes for Medicine and Physiology
In 1901 the scientist Dr. von Bering developed a diphtheria antiserum with guinea pigs. This is a deadly bacterial disease that killed over 15,000 people in the early 1900’s.
In 1902 research with pigeons showed how malaria was transmitted between people and how this microscopic parasite’s life cycle was linked to the mosquito.

9. Nobel Prizes for Medicine and Physiology
In 1912 surgical advances were made in the suture and grafting of blood vessels by using dogs.
1908 scientists Dr. Mechnikov and Dr. Erlich discovered immune reactions and the functions of phagocytes with research in birds, fish and guinea pigs.

10. Nobel Prizes for Medicine and Physiology
Jumping a head a bit…in 1928 scientist Dr. Nicolle learned the pathogenesis of typhus with monkeys, guinea pigs, rats and mice
1967 the primary physiological and chemical processes of vision were studied with chickens, rabbit, fish and crabs
The fruit fly was used to prove genetic control of early embryonic development in 1995

11. Review
There has been a wide variety of animals used in research that have won Nobel Prizes…more than rats and mice.
Can you name a few that were mentioned in the previous slides?

12. Why do we need biomedical research?
Understanding the causes and treatment of diseases, developing new drugs or vaccines, testing the safety of chemicals, and discovery of how the body works are just a few of the goals.
Some of these animals are also susceptible to many of the same diseases as humans.
Not all research involves the use of animals, yet animal-based research remains essential in many areas.

13. Biomedical Research
Rats and mice are used in more than 90 percent of all research projects
Rats are valuable research subjects because their body systems are similar to humans and other animals
However, they’re not good subjects all research like for surgery

14. Biomedical Research
Other animals, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, sheep, cattle, horses, fish, frogs, birds, monkeys and even fruit flies may be used.
Some animals are chosen for a specific type of research, like dogs and pigs for surgery.

15. Biomedical Research
Or a particular type of disease, like lobsters to study the response of neurons (nerve cells) used to study Parkinson’s disease.
The majority of animals used in research are bred specifically for that purpose by USDA licensed suppliers

16. Biomedical research
Scientists use purpose bred animals because they know the genetic make-up and the health background of the animals.
This also allows for the comparison of historical data and helps to determine the statistical significance of certain responses, like tumor growth or liver disorders.

17. Review Why are animals used in biomedical research?
Where do animals used for biomedical research come from?

18. Rodents contributions to Biomedical Research
Mice, rats, guinea pigs, gerbils and hamsters are the majority (90%) of animals used in biomedical research
Did you know mice age 30 times faster than humans? This makes mice ideal for long-term exposure or chronic studies.

19. Rodents in Research
Their small size and low cost makes them ideal for laboratory experiments.
Mice and rats have contributed to cancer research, the understanding of aging and in pursuing treatments for AIDS. Both are also used for product safety testing.

20. Mice in research

21. Mice in Research
Scientists can breed different strains of mice with natural genetic deficiencies to achieve specific models of human diseases.
Cells from human cancer tumors have also been injected into mice to cause conditions like leukemia and breast cancer.
This has allowed researchers to test new treatments on subjects with the actual disease condition and to determine if the new treatment is effective.

22. Special types of mice

23. Mice in Research
The successful transfer of human embryos is possible today because of experiments in mice. This technique can also be used to improve reproduction in domestic and endangered species.

24. Mice in Research
Research with mice has helped to develop vaccines to counter influenza, polio, yellow fever and rabies

25. Rats in Research Did you put on deodorant today? Use soap in the bath?
Brush your teeth or shampoo your hair today?
Rats are used in product safety tests to make sure these types of items will not cause unwanted side effects.

26. Rats in Research
Because of their short life span rats are also used to measure the effects of long-term exposure to a product or drug.
Rats have been used as models for Alzheimer’s disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and dental studies.

27. Guinea pigs support of biomedical research
Studies on guinea pigs led to the discovery of Vitamin C, the tuberculosis bacterium and adrenaline. They were used in the development of the diphtheria vaccine, replacement heart valves, blood transfusion, kidney dialysis antibiotics, anticoagulants and asthma medicines.

28. Guinea pigs in research
The inhaled medications that are the mainstays of asthma treatment were developed using guinea pigs.

29. Gerbils in Research
A unique feature of gerbils is that 20% of them have naturally occurring epileptic seizures. These seizures can come about because of loud noises, handling, or other types of excitement.
Because gerbils have symptoms and triggers similar to humans they are often studied to develop new treatments for epilepsy.

30. Rodents in research review
Why do scientists like to use rats and mice in their research?
What is special about gerbils?

31. Rabbits in Research
The physiology of rabbits and humans is very similar, making the rabbit a good model for research into human disease like emphysema and other types of skin disorders
Rabbits are a good animal model for studying ear treatments for infections of the middle and inner ear, which affect millions of infants and children each year.

32. Rabbits in Research
The ability of scientists to produce tumors in rabbits makes them useful models to study chemo/immunotherapy, as well as immuno-prevention of certain cancers.
Cholesterol studies: Rabbits have been used to test drugs that lowers blood cholesterol and retards the development of hardening of the arteries.

33. Rabbits in Research
Rabbits are used in product testing --eye and skin irritation tests to develop appropriate procedures for handling certain chemicals and to predict the toxicity of accidental exposure.

34. Rabbits in Research
Rabbits are also used to study Entropion, a condition caused by eyelashes turning in to the eye. Rabbits have helped with the study and treatment of Glaucoma, which often results in blindness.

35. Rabbits in Research
More than 10,000 blind or visually impaired people have benefited from corneal transplants, possible only because of hundreds of trials on rabbits.

36. Cats in Research
Cats represent less than 1% of animals used in research each year. However, their contributions are extremely valuable to the research of AIDS.
Cats can develop feline AIDS, a virus similar to human AIDS. Scientists have developed a vaccine for feline leukemia and hope this breakthrough can be used as a model for a human vaccine.

37. Cats in Research
Cats are used to study toxoplasmosis, which is caused by a protozoan parasite that can infect people and unborn babies with cause encephalitis (brain disease). Cat are a common intermediate host to the parasite.

38. Cats in Research
Because of similarities between the cats and humans, cats make excellent models for studying the eye and to research vision disorders such as lazy eye.

39. Cats in Research
Research has led to the understanding of the function of neurons and nerve cells, functional organization of the brain and mechanisms of nerve impulses. This research has been used to help humans recover from strokes.

40. Cats in Research
Both cats and humans suffer from hearing loss as a result of exposure to high noise levels. Researchers have used this similarity to study the effects of noise on humans.

41. Cats in Research
Diabetic cats are useful models for the study of Diabetes Mellitus. Researchers have learned more about the protein that hinders insulin production and may lead to a cure for diabetes.

42. Cats in Research
Research using cats has led to improved animal surgical procedures and new vaccines to prevent animal diseases.
Thanks to research, the life expectancy of house cats has been expanded more than eight years. In fact, some pets can live up to more than 20 years.

43. Rabbits and cats in review
Name one type of human disease or condition that rabbits are used to study?
What percent of animals used in research do cats represent?
What disease of cats has helped researchers develop breakthroughs for humans and cats?

44. Dogs in Research
Dogs also represent less than 1 percent of animal models used in research.
From kidney transplants to the development of the heart-lung machine, researchers have developed many surgery procedures including lifesaving emergency room techniques.

45. Dogs in Research
Starting in 1950 open heart surgery, pacemakers & organ transplant procedures were developed & perfected on animals including dogs & pigs.

46. Dogs in Research
Coronary bypass surgery, artificial heart valve insertion and pacemaker implantation were tested and studied in dogs before being used in humans.
Artificial heart valve

47. Dogs in Research
Dogs were vital to the development of angioplasty, in which a small tube is threaded up through the femoral artery to unblock coronary arteries.

48. Dogs in Research
Dogs are used to train emergency room physicians and nurses in lifesaving techniques. Studies in dogs have led to new techniques to treat post-shock infections, heart complications, kidney functions and blood pressure levels.

49. Dogs in Research
Hip replacement surgery was first developed in dogs. Dogs were also instrumental in creating replacement and repair techniques for many other joints.
Picture of a hip prosthesis

50. Dogs in Research Benefits Dogs too!
The dog’s contributions to research have benefited canine health through the development of the canine parvovirus vaccine.
Parvovirus is a particularly deadly disease among young puppies, causing gastrointestinal tract damage and dehydration as well as a cardiac syndrome in very young pups. It is spread by contact with an infected dog's feces. Symptoms include lethargy, severe diarrhea, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, and dehydration. It is can be deadly to puppies and older dogs.

51. Dogs in Research
Studies in dogs have led to the invention of devices and treatments for animals – pacemakers, hip and artificial joint replacements, diabetes treatments, dental care, chemotherapy and canine vaccines for rabies.

52. Dogs in research review
What contributions have dogs made to medical research?
Name one surgery technique learned using dogs.

53. Primates in Research
Primates represent a tiny portion of animals used in research – 1/3 of 1 percent – yet they have made huge contributions to major medical breakthroughs, most notably the development of the polio vaccine and in the treatment of RH disease.

54. Primates in Research
Primates have been used to research cancer, heart disease, numerous infectious diseases and neurological disorders, obesity and blindness, plus much more.
Picture of basal cell carcinoma

55. Primates in Research
Scientists are learning how HIV works through studying its counterpart in primates - Simian Immunodeficiency Virus. Some species of primates are also carriers of HIV, although it does not kill them.

56. Primates in Research
Research conducted in baboons has led to a technique that has allowed cancer cells to be removed from healthy bone marrow cells and baboons have been used to develop artificial blood vessels that bypass blocked arteries.

57. Primates in research
Researchers are studying obesity in monkeys in hopes of finding a way to control body weight.
Monkeys are also being used to study Taurine deficiency, which causes vision problems and zinc deficiency, which causes growth retardation in infants and fetuses.

58. Primates in research
A surgical technique to remove retinal scar tissue has enabled macular cells to regenerate in monkeys. This research may lead to a cure of human macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over 55.
Vision with macular degeneration
Macular degeneration: a degenerative disease of the macula which is the part of the retina responsible for central vision.  There is no way yet of repairing the vision that has been lost, but if detected early laser surgery can help slow the progression of the disease.  (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in people over age 65.  Eight million people are legally blind from macular degeneration worldwide and as the population ages this number is expected to grow.

59. Primates in research
Other studies of primates include the effects of pollution on infants, research on Multiple Sclerosis, Down’s Syndrome, liver disease, drug abuse and mental retardation.

60. Primates in review
Can you name a disease or condition (not noted for previous animals) that primates have been used to research?
What disease in primates is similar to HIV?
MS, macular degeneration, down’s syndrome
Simian Immunodeficiency Virus

61. Pigs have made contributions to Research!
This has made pigs instrumental in studying the healing process of burn victims.
One of the greatest contributions of pig research has been the development of the CAT scan, which allows doctors to examine organs without surgery.

62. And Other Animals: like sheep!
Research on sheep led researchers to perfect and implant the arteriovenous shunt, a device that allows patients with kidney failure to be connected to dialysis machines for long term treatment.
Sheep have been used in the development and testing of a device that assists lung function in infants soon after birth.

63. Plus Ferrets, Woodchucks…
Ferrets have been used in the study of the influenza virus.
Woodchucks have been used to research human liver cancer and Hepatitis B.

64. and Armadillos!
Armadillos have been used to test a vaccine for Leprosy victims

65. And we can’t leave out the lobsters, or…
Lobsters are used to study Syphilis, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s all motor coordination diseases.

66. …chinchillas!
Chinchillas are used as models to study middle ear infection, which commonly plague infants and children. Also in sleep research and in the development of a cholera vaccine.

67. And eels and fish! Electric eels are used in neurobiological studies.
Monkfish are used in hormone research and in insulin treatment for diabetes

68. More Fish and amphibians!
Many species of fish are used in studies for liver cancer, diabetes, immune systems, vision studies and heart disease.
Frogs have been used to research the effectiveness of antibiotics
Salamanders have been used in heart attack research

69. Animal research has benefited mankind…
In this day and age, it would be difficult for a person to not have been touched by the benefits and contributions of animals in biomedical research.

70. …and animals of all species have benefited too!

71. Last Questions Name at least one wild animal used in research.
For what?
Tell me one thing you learned from this presentation.

72. Resources:
AALAS and
Foundation for Biomedical Research
and
Massachusetts Society for Medical Research, Inc