Research

Saphenous vein blood collection as described below will be used as long as it is consistent with adequate veterinary care and the research model.

Consideration of Alternatives

Saphenous vein blood collection is not considered a painful or distressful procedure. 

Acceptable Collection Volumes

A maximum of 10% of total blood volume may be collected weekly.  The volume of sterile saline equivalent to the amount of blood collected should be administered subcutaneously to rehydrate the hamster.

Operational Requirements for Rodent Satellite Housing Facilities

These requirements are considered the minimum standards for maintaining rodents outside of a Yale Animal Resources Center (YARC)-managed space for greater than 8 days or permanently. This information is consistent with YARC SOPs. Unless a deviation to these requirements is specifically approved by the IACUC, compliance with these standards is expected. Please see the “Satellite Housing” policy for more information.

• Retro-Orbital Blood Collection from Hamsters
• Acceptable Collection Volumes
• Procedure Preparation
• Procedure

Retro-Orbital Blood Collection from Hamsters

• Rotarod Testing of Rodents
• Consideration of Alternatives
• Procedure Preparation
• Procedure
• Post-Procedure Monitoring and Care

Rotarod Testing of Rodents

The rotarod test is a widely used model for rodents to assess coordination, motor learning and motor function. 

Sections

• 4486.1 Regulatory Requirements
• 4486.2 Institutional Policy
• 4486.3 Diluting and Compounding Drugs
• 4486.4 Labeling Compounded Drugs
• 4486.5 Documenting Working Solutions of Controlled Drugs

4486.1 Regulatory Requirements

Open Field or Locomotor Activity Tests

The open field and locomotor activity tests are widely used animal models to assess activity level and/or behavior under varying conditions (e.g. circadian rhythm, effects of a specific drug, etc.). 

Consideration of Alternatives 

Observing an animal’s activity is not considered a painful or distressful procedure.

The elevated plus or zero maze is a widely used behavioral assay for rodents and is most commonly performed to assess the anti-anxiety effects of pharmacological agents. Unlike other behavioral tests which assess anxiety reliant upon noxious stimuli, the elevated plus or zero maze relies upon rodents’ proclivity to dark, enclosed spaces. This test helps to define brain regions and mechanisms underlying anxiety-related behavior.

Consideration of Alternatives

Observing a rodent in an elevated plus or zero maze is not considered a painful or distressful procedure. 

1. Acceptable Collection Volumes
2. Procedure Preparation
3. Procedures
4. Post-procedure Monitoring and Care

Blood Collection from Rats

Any of the individual procedures described below, when performed properly by trained individuals do not cause more than momentary/transient pain or distress, with the exception of retro-orbital blood collection (which is performed under general anesthesia).

1. Consideration of Alternatives
2. Procedure Preparation
3. Acceptable Collection Volumes
4. Procedures
5. Post-procedure Monitoring and Care