Animal Research

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