October 28, 2013 A Brief Introduction to Laboratory Animal Medicine Alli Fries Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. Candidate Department Neural & Behavioral Sciences Penn State College of Medicine Adapted with permission from: Tiffany Whitcomb, DVM

Some More Important Facts Over 99% of the animals used in today’s research are “purpose bred” (i.e. bred specifically for research purposes). ampprogress.org

Some More Important Facts Over 99% of the animals used in today’s research are “purpose bred” (i.e. bred specifically for research purposes). Those animals of the remaining 1% come from licenced Class B dealers that are regulated and inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture ampprogress.org

Some More Important Facts Over 99% of the animals used in today’s research are “purpose bred” (i.e. bred specifically for research purposes). Those animals of the remaining 1% come from licenced Class B dealers that are regulated and inspected by the United States Department of Agriculture In the United States this year, 93% of all rodents raised will be used by zoos and pet-owners as food ampprogress.org

Use of Traditional Laboratory Animal Species is on the Decline

The Three Rs of Animal Research Any researcher planning to use animals in their research must first show why there is no alternative and what will be done to minimize numbers and suffering, ie:

The Three Rs of Animal Research Any researcher planning to use animals in their research must first show why there is no alternative and what will be done to minimize numbers and suffering, ie: Replace the use of animals with alternative techniques, or avoid the use of animals altogether.

The Three Rs of Animal Research Any researcher planning to use animals in their research must first show why there is no alternative and what will be done to minimize numbers and suffering, ie: Replace the use of animals with alternative techniques, or avoid the use of animals altogether. Reduce the number of animals used to a minimum, to obtain information from fewer animals or more information from the same number of animals.

The Three Rs of Animal Research Any researcher planning to use animals in their research must first show why there is no alternative and what will be done to minimize numbers and suffering, ie: Replace the use of animals with alternative techniques, or avoid the use of animals altogether. Reduce the number of animals used to a minimum, to obtain information from fewer animals or more information from the same number of animals. Refine the way experiments are carried out, to make sure animals suffer as little as possible. This includes better housing and improvements to procedures which minimize pain and suffering and/or improve animal welfare.

Animal Research is Necessary for Medical Progress

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) occurs in babies born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation Respiratory failure and apnea Causes include underdeveloped lungs and deficiency in production of surfactant Surfactant is a complex of lipids and proteins which line the alveoli Presence of surfactant reduces surface tension of the alveoli and prevents collapse Rodriguez RJ, Martin RJ, and Fanaroff, AA 2002.

In 1985, it was shown that calf surfactant given at birth prevents RDS

Since the 1980s, the # of premature babies who die of RDS has been reduced from 10,000 to 1,000 Marchofdimes.com

Animal Research and Diabetes 1920: Oskar Minkowski and Joseph von Mering removed the pancreas from dogs and dogs developed diabetes 1921: Banting and Best removed the pancreas from dogs, inducing diabetes They saved the extracted pancreas, homogenized it, and injected it into a diabetic dog – curing it of it’s diabetic symptoms. Purification of insulin began, with Banting and Best injecting themselves as test subjects and causing themselves to become weak and dizzy 1922: The first human experiment - 14 year old Leonard Thompson

Animal Research and Diabetes

Animal Research and Diabetes

Animal Research Benefits Animals, Too

Canine parvovirus emerged in 1978, causing bloody diarrhea, vomiting and death in 91% of dogs

A canine parvovirus vaccine was developed in 1 year because of work already done with cat parvovirus

Animal Research is Regulated More Strictly than Research performed with Human Beings

Biomedical research is strictly regulated by the federal government

Any use of animals in research or teaching must be approved by a special committee called the IACUC IACUC = Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee

The IACUC Committee is comprised of: By federal policy, the IACUC must be composed of, at a minimum, five members. The membership requirement is: 1) An IACUC Chairperson 2) A doctor of veterinary medicine 3) An individual not affiliated with the institution, representing the community 4) A practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals 5) a member whose primary concerns are nonscientific.

IACUC By federal law, the IACUC, as an agent of the research facility, must: 1)review the components of the animal care and use program every six months 2) inspect the animal facilities and animal study areas every six months 3) prepare and submit federal reports 4) review and investigate concerns involving animal care and use 5) make recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of Penn State's Animal Care and Use Program, the research facilities or personnel training 6) review and approve vertebrate animal research, teaching or testing activities before they are initiated 7) review and approve modifications to previously approved animal care and use projects 8) investigate and suspend animal use in accordance with federal regulations.

Research Animals Must Have a Good Quality of Life

Animals Must Be Provided with Environmental Enrichment

The goal of environmental enrichment is to provide opportunities for species-typical activities

The goal of environmental enrichment is to provide opportunities for species-typical activities

Summary Animal research is predominantly conducted on mice and other rodents that are specifically bred for research purposes The use of laboratory animals for research is on the decline Researchers are committed to the 3 Rs: replace, reduce, refine Animal research has led to significant clinical breakthroughs for disease – both human and animal! Animal research is tightly regulated by the federal government and institution-specific IACUC committees Research animals are entitled to a good quality of life and enrichment

References Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NRC, Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, OLAW, Rodriguez RJ, Martin RJ, and Fanaroff, AA. Respiratory distress syndrome and its management. Fanaroff and Martin (eds.) Neonatal-perinatal medicine: Diseases of the fetus and infant; 7th ed. (2002): St. Louis: Mosby