UWSP IACUC
Oct 2006
Notes to assist in completing parts 5 and 6 of the protocol submission form
PART 5
Alternatives to the Use of Animal & 3R’s
5.1 Explain what alternatives to animal use are available, and explain why the alternatives are not appropriate.
You must also specify at least two sources or databases that you have used to search for alternatives.
Even for researchers working with wild animals, alternatives to direct use of animals
may exist. Specify here if similar research has been done, if extrapolation from data
on other species is possible, or if data might be collected without invasive or
stressful procedures. Often, no suitable alternative is available, especially if the
study is novel. Thus, the databases that you may cite can include Biological
Abstracts (BIOSIS), PubMed, or similar primary literature database. Databases
specifically used to find alternatives (if they exist) and to support the lack thereof
include Altweb (Johns Hopkins Center for Alternative to Animal Testing), AltBib
(U.S. National Library of Medicine), and Norina (Norwegian School of Veterinary
Medicine).
5.2 Explain how you have met the “3R’s” requirement of Replacement, Refinement, Reduction. Describe the
steps you have taken to replace (some of) the animals used, to refine the use of animals (e.g. by improving
technique or increasing data collection), and to reduce the number of animals or number of procedures.
All investigators must address the issue of 3R’s, even if no suitable replacement for
animal use is available. Outline steps you have taken to refine your technique (in
handling, anesthesia, training, etc.) to reduce or remove pain or distress to the
animals that are used. Point out how you limit the number of affected animals (by
limiting trap time, or by only working during the summer, etc.). Don’t forget to
include changes you may have already effected.
PART 6
Experimental Procedures involving Live Animals
6.1 Describe your experimental procedures (outside of normal husbandry) to be performed on these animals.
Identify any nutritional, social, environmental, or physical manipulation of the animals, including the
administration of therapeutic or experimental agents, including dosage, dosing frequency and route of
administration, from time of contact through euthanasia. Note that a separate section follows for description of
surgical procedures and details of anesthesia, analgesia, and surgery should be provided in PART 7.
Here, “experimental procedure” is taken to mean any observation, handling, or
manipulation of an animal that causes it to substantially alter its “normal” behavior.
Thus, if you are trapping or handling wild animals, or removing captive animals from
their standard housing facility, you must describe the procedure(s) in detail here.
6.2 Do you anticipate the animals will experience more than momentary or slight pain or discomfort as a result
of your procedure? If YES, describe the methods by which you will assess, monitor, and minimize pain and
distress to the animals. Again, surgical procedures and monitoring should be addressed in PART 7.
For animals undergoing anesthesia, a method by which animal recovery is assessed
should be included in Part 7.4. In Part 7.4, outline how you ensure (to the best of
your ability) the safety of animals released from traps.
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6.3 Describe any potential adverse effects of the experimental procedures and how each abnormal or adverse
effect will be managed. Describe the conditions, criteria, and methods that would lead to the removal of an
animal from the study (e.g. animals with uncontrolled infections would be euthanized).
Here, address the potential disasters or possible bad outcomes, even if they have
never occurred. Outline how you would handle minor and major injuries or trauma
(from a broken leg in a trap, or a hypothermic squirrel, or an accidentally dropped
frog, for example). Also include here what method of euthanasia you would employ,
and specify under what conditions euthanasia of an animal might be required to end
pain or distress that could not be alleviated otherwise.
6.4 Outline the final disposition of the animals – what will happen to the animals at the end of the study?
For captive animals, please provide a method for caring for elderly, sick, or
distressed animals that cannot be treated. For all euthanized animals, consider
providing tissues or cadavers to the museum and other investigators for use.
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