USC Laboratory Animal Training
Annual Refresher
Courtesy of Department of Animal Resources and the
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
CHP 234
(323)442-1689
Disclaimer
The information presented in this presentation
is from sources obtained in the Department of
Animal Resources. Any omissions, deletions,
additions, or changes made to the original
content of this presentation by any non-DAR
staff will not be accepted as valid training as
supported by the DAR or the IACUC.
The 3R’s by Russell and Burch, 1959
• Replace
How can we use a different model instead of the animals?
Have we checked the literature for replacements? Cell culture, less
sentient species, carcasses?
• Refine
How can we change our experimental procedures to eliminate or
minimize pain and distress?
Is there anything we’ve noticed that would seem uncomfortable or
difficult for the animal?
• Reduce
How can we use statistical analysis to find the appropriate animal
group numbers?
How can we analyze our experimental design to use less animals?
Compliance with IACUC
• Are we following the IACUC protocol exactly or do we
need to make changes to reflect our work?
• Is anyone doing animal work on a protocol or project
for which they are not listed on?
• Unapproved procedures, drugs, strains, species,
personnel, etc. are grounds for non-compliance and
puts lab research funds and the University at risk
Remember to:
1. Submit an amendment for changes to a protocol before
implementing the change in the lab
2. Only perform work that is approved on the IACUC protocol.
Drugs
• Are we using expired drugs on animals?
• Are using Pharmaceutical or Chemical Grade Drugs?
– Ex of Pharmaceutical: Avertin ordered from a veterinary drug
vendor
• Non-Pharmaceutical (Chemical) Grade Drugs
– Ex of Chemical: Tribromoethanol ordered from Sigma
– Caution : Purity, sterility, pH, pyrogenicity, osmolality, stability,
formulation, compatibility, and pharmacokinetics are all
variables when using chemical grade drugs!
• Controlled Drugs
– How are we storing these?
– How are we filling these out?
Humane Endpoints and Euthanasia
• What humane endpoints are we using as
criteria for pre-mature euthanasia?
• Are we performing any survival or LD50 studies,
that allow animals to expire in the cage?
• What is our method of euthanasia?
• How are we verifying the animal is dead
before disposal?
• Where are we disposing of carcasses?
Pain and Distress
• What are we using for pain medication? How
and when are we giving this?
• Can we start recording this in a document if
we haven’t already?
• How often are we checking these animals
after we perform procedures on them?
• PPE
OHS
Protects you and the facility! What PPE is
everyone wearing when going in the facility?
• Bites
What is the process that you go through after you
have been wounded by an animal?
How are these accidents documented?
• Allergens
Who can name the symptoms of allergies to
animals?
Do you know what to do if you realize you have an
animal-related allergy?
Rodent Reproduction
• What are our current mating schemes?
• 1 Dam:1 litter rule
– Pair mating only
• Are we allowing pups to be separated from their
mother before or after 21 days?
• When are we checking plugs?
• Do we include the correct strain name on the
cage card?
• Are we experiencing genetic drift or mutations?
Surgery, Anesthesia, and Aseptic
Technique
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All survival surgery must be sterile
What do we use to sterilize our surgical
instruments?
Are we clipping the fur?
Are we performing an appropriate skin prep?
Do we need any supplies to improve our aseptic
technique?
How frequently and how often are we monitoring
anesthesia while the animal is under?
Where and how are the animals recovering?
Transferring animals
• Are we or have we ever ordered or received
animals before obtaining DAR approval?
• Set-up a transfer (export or import) by going
to www.mustrac.com
– Imported species and strains must be listed on the
protocol before approval can occur
• Transferring within USC requires a Transfer A
form (CHP 234 or RRI office)
– Includes protocol, PI, & room change transfers
Reporting Concerns and Contact Info
• Where can you find a veterinarian’s or Animal
Care Staff member’s phone number in case of
an animal related emergency?
• http://www.usc.edu/hsc/dar/problems/
– Complete the Incident Report Form anonymously
When in doubt call a veterinarian! We are a useful
resource and part of your research team.
Things to think about…
• The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals (8th Ed) – is free online!
– http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/Guide-for-the-careand-use-of-Laboratory-animals.pdf
• Test your Cell Lines for viruses
This is not routine for vendors like ATCC!
• Cryopreservation and conservation of
irreplaceable stocks
Incorporating these will enhance the quality of your research