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.
1.
Are non-cellular biological materials being administered to rodents?
YES
If yes, what is the species of origin and source of the biological material?
NO
2.
Are rodents being injected with cells?
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
YES
NO
NO
YES
NO
What are the cells and where did you obtain them?
3.
What is the injection site in the animals?
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.
* 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
Tumor Endpoints
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:
-
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