2015
ATTACHMENT H
TUMORS, STEM CELLS and OTHER
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
Contamination of biological specimens such as tumor cell lines, stem cells, and sera with
rodent pathogens can cause devastating disease outbreaks when laboratory animals are
implanted with these materials. Biological materials derived from or passaged through
rodents must be tested by Rat or Mouse Antibody Production or PCR to detect rodent
infectious agents before being implanted into rodents. (Tissue culture Mycoplasma testing
is not adequate).
An exception may be made for biological materials originating from animals housed in the
same animal facility. As an alternative, animals may be implanted with untested materials
if they are housed in a dedicated quarantine facility for the duration of the experiment.
However, limited quarantine space may preclude this option.
Note: Answer sections will expand.
1.
Are non-cellular biological materials being administered to rodents? YES
NO
 If yes, what is the species of origin and source of the biological material?
2.
Are rodents being injected with cells? YES
NO
 If yes, are these cells derived from rodents?
 If the cell line was derived from humans or other animals, has it been passaged
through rodents? YES
NO
 What are the cells and where did you obtain them?
 What is the injection site in the animals?
3.
Has this biological material been tested for rodent pathogens? YES
NO
 If no, contact one of the university veterinarians regarding availability of
quarantine space.
 If yes, please attach a copy of the testing results. All testing results must be
attached, or if not available, must be forwarded to facility managers prior to use in
animals.
 I certify that the tested materials to be used have not been passed through rodent
species since testing. To the best of my knowledge the material remains
uncontaminated with rodent pathogens.
YES
NO
2015
Tumor Endpoints
If tumours are part of this protocol, please use the following endpoint information to
assist in completing Section 7 of the protocol form.
Humane endpoints must be established and described under Section 7 of the animal protocol.
The information below is provided to assist you in completing Section 7. For tumor studies,
animals should be euthanized before their tumor burden becomes excessive and before the
animals become debilitated. The appearance of any of the following clinical signs should
trigger the decision to euthanize tumor-bearing animals unless strong scientific justification for
later endpoints is provided:
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Tumor size > 10% of body weight (about 1.5 cm in a 25g mouse)
Weight loss of more than 15% of body weight (corrected for the weight of tumor)
Abdominal distension approximately equal to that of a near-term female
Ulceration or necrosis of the tumor
Impaired mobility due to size or location of the tumor
Respiratory distress
Blood stained or mucopurulent discharge from any orifice
General signs of morbidity including one or more of the following:
Depression, anorexia, marked change in fecal or urine output, ruffled fur, dehydration,
hunched posture