Responsible Conduct of Animal Research at UTHSCH

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Responsible Conduct of Animal Research at UTHSCH

• Chris S. Smith, DVM
• Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care

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Objectives

• Federal laws
• Overview of the UTHSC Animal Care and Use Program
• Ethical considerations in planning
• an animal activity
• UTHSC resources for animal activities

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UTHSC ANIMAL PROGRAM METRICS

• 2.5 million dollar CLAMC budget
• 15 of all active and pending UTHSC grants
  include animals
• 150 UTHSC scientists use animals
• 325 approved animal protocols
• 11,000 animals cared for daily

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Federal Laws Regulating Animal Research
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Covered Animal Activities

• All animal activities performed at UTHSC
  facilities.
• All animal activities, even off site, where UTHSC
  funds are used to purchase the research animals.
• Animal research activity performed offsite
  without UTHSC funds, but not approved by any
  other animal committee.

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UTHSC Animal Welfare Committee

• Mandated committee
• Appointed by the President
• Composition of membership
• Responsibilities
• Protocols
• Inspections
• Concerns
• Authority

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AWC Animal Protocol

• Form available online
• Consult with AWC Coordinator if this is an
  initial application
• Final document must be comprehensive and well
  written
• Approval is for one year, and can be renewed for
  two subsequent years, prior to expiring at the
  end of three years
• Modifications of approved protocols can be done
  by memo

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Animal Protocol Ethical ConsiderationsJustificat
ion

• Research should be justified
• Purpose is sufficient to justify the use of
  animals
• Model system is the best suited to answer the
  scientific question
• Reasonable expectation that the research methods
  employed will provide valid results

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Animal Protocol Ethical ConsiderationsPersonnel

• Must be qualified through training or experience
  to accomplish experimental manipulations in a
  humane and scientifically acceptable manner

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Animal Protocol Ethical ConsiderationsSpecies
Selection and Quantity

• The animals selected for a procedure should be of
  an appropriate species and quality and the
  minimum number required to obtain valid results.

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Animal Protocol Ethical ConsiderationsProper
Use of Animals

• It is imperative to utilize methods that will
  avoid or minimize discomfort, distress and pain,
  when consistent with sound scientific practices.

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Animal Protocol Ethical ConsiderationsPainful
Procedures

• Procedures that are known to cause more than
  momentary pain or distress, should be performed
  with appropriate sedation, analgesia, and/or
  anesthesia.

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Animal Protocol Ethical ConsiderationsUnrelieved
Pain or Distress

• Animals that would otherwise suffer severe or
  chronic pain or distress that cannot be relieved,
  should be euthanized at the end of the procedure
  or if appropriate, during the procedure.

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Animal Protocol Ethical ConsiderationsEnvironmen
t and Well-being

• The living conditions of animals should be
  appropriate for their species and contribute to
  their health and comfort.

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Pertinent Laws, Policies, and Guidelines

• The transportation, care and use of animals shall
  be in accordance with applicable federal laws,
  guidelines and policies.

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Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care

• Centralized program for animal housing, care, and
  use
• 40 staff members including 5 veterinarians and 7
  veterinary health and surgery technicians
• CLAMC managed resources located in 6 UTHSC
  buildings

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Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care

• Present Locations
• - MSB/E
• - IMM
• - DB
• - Denton Cooley
• - MSI
• - UCT
• Future Locations
• - BREF (2009/10)

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Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care

• Services and resources
• Animal housing and husbandry
• Veterinary consultation care
• Surgical resource support
• Clinical laboratory
• Technical assistance
• Import and export
• Transportation
• Canine breeding program

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Other UTHSC Animal ResourcesGenetically
Manipulated Rodent Models

• IMM - Development of transgenic and knockout
  mouse strains
• IMM
• Cryopreservation of embryos
• Dr. Rick Wetsel
• Dr. Eva Zsigmond

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Other UTHSC Animal ResourcesFMR Imaging
Research Resource

• 3.0 and 7.0 T dedicated for research
• Dr. Ponnada Narayana Radiology, MS

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Institutional Training in Animal Care and Use

• Coordinated by CLAMC
• Institutional courses
• Introductory
• Species specific
• Offered monthly
• One-on-one training

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Occupational Health Environmental Health and
Safety

• Health and environmental risks are identified
• Personnel are aware of the risks
• Practices in place to minimize the risks
• Procedures in place to monitor exposure and to
  provide medical intervention, if needed.

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Good Animal Care Good Science
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