Laboratory Animals最新文献

Urine collection can be challenging in studies involving small rodents like mice, as the actual methods of collection are anxiogenic and constrain animal welfare while having high variability in the volume of urine collected. To improve the current methods and eventually reduce the impact on the well-being of mice, we developed an innovative 3D-printed urine collection device (UCD). This two-compartment UCD is shaped to fit in classical husbandry cages and allows urine collection by spontaneous urination from two mice housed in their own cage without cross-contamination while enabling potential social interactions. We used our UCD to study the evolution of urinary parameters related to renal functions in a model of antibody-mediated chronic kidney disease. Overall, we report here a time-saving and affordable method for urine collection providing a large amount of uncontaminated urine and which we believe may improve animal welfare in comparison with other methods.

UK Health Security Agency is required to investigate the pathogenesis of emerging or re-emerging infections and to test novel interventions, such as vaccines and therapeutics against these and other diseases, such as tuberculosis and Ebola, that have a significant impact on human health world-wide. Research into the causative agents (mainly BSL 3 and 4) using a wide range of animal species as pre-clinical models brings a number of challenges in terms of effective biocontainment to address human safety whilst optimising delivery of scientific objectives and the welfare of the animals. Here we describe the strategies used for high containment of species that include mice, ferrets, hamsters, rabbits and macaques that have been infected with high consequence pathogens. To ensure relevance of these models we frequently challenge by the aerosol route and monitor the development of disease and protective or therapeutic efficacy by methodologies similar to those used in the clinic. We have devised methods of sampling that can inform on pathogenesis and immune function that include lung lavage and medical imaging such as computed tomography and positron emission tomography-computed tomography. Imaging assists our assessment of progression to disease whilst providing refinement in application of early humane endpoints. We have developed directional flow containment systems that provide quantifiable operator protection whilst allowing group housing and a wide range of enrichment strategies appropriate for each species. Furthermore, we have demonstrated our improvements in animal welfare through use of a software-based Animal Welfare Assessment Grid that was developed with help of NC3Rs funding and enables us to quantify the lifetime experience of animals.

Two healthy Landrace pigs anaesthetized with propofol suffered rapid onset of fatal sepsis. Clinical signs included severe arterial hypotension, loss of peripheral oxygenation, low end-tidal CO₂, clinical onset of pulmonary oedema and cardiac dysfunction. Gross and histopathological examination revealed loss of vascular integrity with severe lung oedema and congestion, haemorrhages in several organs and fluid leakage into body cavities. Large numbers of Gram-negative bacteria, primarily Klebsiella sp., were present in the anaesthetic infusion containing propofol and were also cultured from internal organs of both pigs. The propofol was likely contaminated by bacteria after inappropriate handling and storage in the operating room. This report illustrates the potential for severe nosocomial infection when applying propofol in animals and humans and may serve as a reminder of the importance of strict aseptic practice in general, and specifically in the handling of this anaesthetic agent.

Kidney cysts in humans are mainly caused by inheritable polycystic kidney disease. Although they are a regular finding in laboratory mice, their occurrence upon dissection has not been systematically investigated, yet. Therefore, the aim of this report was to investigate on prevalence, phenotype and aetiology of spontaneously occurring kidney cysts in mice by retrospectively analysing the laboratory-receipt tables of the in-house laboratory of a central animal facility in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, years 2009-2019. A percentage of 0.4% of dissected mice displayed kidney cysts, with more male than female animals affected and average age equal to that of all dissected animals. Preliminary report in half of the cases was distended abdomen, and a few individuals displayed additional pathologic alterations of kidneys, most commonly dilated renal pelvis, or extrarenal comorbidities. Kidney cysts occurred independently of a renal phenotype of the transgenic strain or presence of infectious agents in health monitoring. To conclude, kidney cysts were characterized as harmless for affected mice but, as inheritability is suggested according with the literature, affected animals should be excluded from breeding.

The aim was to determine changes in clinical parameters, glucose concentration, cortisol and behavior in colony queens in no music conditions compared with exposing to different genres of music. Mixed breed clinically healthy queens (N = 9) were used. Queens were studied under no music conditions (control=CON) and auditory enrichment: Soft Rock (M1), Motown (M2), Pop (M3), Frenchcore (M4) and music that was composed to be species-appropriate for cats (M5). The queens underwent auditory enrichment, including three days of silence (D1-3), five consecutive days of auditory enrichment (D4-8) and three days of silence (D9-11). We recorded clinical parameters, glucose, cortisol and behavior. Data were analyzed with GLIMMIX. Queens showed a significant increase of femoral pulse during exposure to M1, M2 and M4; and respiratory rate during exposure to M1, M2, M3 and M4 compared with CON. There was a significant increase in glucose during exposure to M2 and M5 compared with CON. However, there was a significant decrease in glucose during exposure to M4 compared with CON. There was a significant decrease in cortisol during exposure to M2 and M5 compared with CON. When we evaluated the ethogram, we observed a significant decrease in the percentage of interaction with other cats in M1 and M2 compared with CON. In addition, we found a significant decrease in the purring in M1 and M3 compared with CON. Auditory enrichment can be beneficial in situations that cause discomfort and distress in colony cats, such as in feline hospitalization; however, it should be acknowledged that there are limits to direct extrapolation.

The search for 3R-relevant information is a prerequisite for any planned experimental approach considering animal use. Such a literature search includes all methods to replace, reduce and refine (3Rs) animal testing with the aim of improving animal welfare, and requires an intensive screening of literature databases reflecting the current state of knowledge in experimental biomedicine. We developed SMAFIRA, a freely available online tool to facilitate the screening of PubMed/MEDLINE for possible alternatives to animal testing. SMAFIRA employs state-of-the-art language models from the field of deep learning, and provides relevant literature citations in a ranked order, classified according to the experimental model used. By using this classification, the search for alternative methods in the biomedical literature will become much more efficient. The tool is available at https://smafira.bf3r.de.

This prospective anatomical study aimed to establish an ultrasound-guided technique to the quadratus lumborum (QL) plane in sheep cadavers. Thirteen cadavers, weighing less than 117 kg, were included. In phase 1, one cadaver underwent dissection and two cadavers underwent 3D computed tomographic reconstruction for anatomical evaluation of the thoracolumbar region. In phase 2, two cadavers were used to compare two ultrasound techniques to the QL plane: lateral to the QL muscle with a transversal approach (LQL) and transmuscular between QL and psoas muscles with a longitudinal approach (TQL). For LQL, the reference was the first lumbar transverse process, whereas for TQL, it was the intertransverse region between the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The needle was advanced in-plane towards the specific target for each technique and a total of four injections were performed using 0.4 ml kg^-1 of a dye-lidocaine solution. In phase 3, 10 cadavers received bilateral LQL injections (n = 20). All cadavers were then dissected to evaluate spread of dye. In phase 2, following LQL injections, no dye was observed in undesired locations; however, the dye was noted in the retroperitoneal space (1/2) after TQL injections. In phase 3, the 13th thoracic, first, second, third lumbar nerves, and sympathetic trunk segments were stained in 80%, 95%, 100%, 45% and 35% of the injections, respectively. In conclusion, the LQL technique was feasible, allowing staining of the spinal nerves innervating the cranial abdomen in sheep cadavers. Further studies in live animals are warranted.

While best practice methodology in animal research aims to address reproducibility and translational issues, awareness and implementation remains low. Preclinical systematic reviews have highlighted many flaws, including issues with internal validity and reporting. With early career researchers (ECRs) heavily involved in all aspects of animal experiments, it is crucial we understand what shapes their research practices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 ECRs, including research masters, PhD and postdoctoral academics. Data were collected and analysed concurrently using constant comparison techniques and an iterative approach. Findings revealed low-level awareness of best practice recommendations but a desire to engage in dedicated workshops on designing and reporting animal experiments. Current laboratory practices and previous literature were main influences on research practice, more than institutional training. An unexpected finding was the discovery of ethical and emotional dilemmas ECRs faced when working with animals. This highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to better support junior researchers, both emotionally and practically, to encourage responsible science.