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Refinement methods to reduce laboratory animal suffering: A review of German biomedical and animal research applications from 2010 to identify how refinements are used in experiments involving rodents
Project
Project code: BfR-ZEBET-08-1328-472
Contract period: 01.08.2011
- 30.06.2014
Purpose of research: Inventory & Assessment
This project was initiated in order to appraise the current situation of Refinement in Germany. Biomedical and animal research applications from all over Germany in 2010 will be examined to assess the refinement methods being used in laboratories throughout the country. Techniques and methods being employed to reduce animal pain, suffering, and lasting harm will be identified. The study will focus on applications involving rats and mice as they are the two most commonly used species in Germany and throughout the world. The primary aim will be to assess the efficacy of proposed anaesthetic and analgesic regimens by examining applications in which rodents undergo surgical procedures. The use of appropriate killing methods and humane endpoints will also be examined. The study will be carried out anonymously, with individual research groups not being identified. The aim of the review is to identify where, within the aforementioned areas of Refinement, improvements can still be made.The results of this investigation, together with a broad review of the literature on the possibilities and constraints of refinement methods, will provide the basis for recommendations that could help researchers choose the best refinement methods while still being able to obtain their research goals. Also, the recommendations will hopefully facilitate the approval of biomedical research applications by the licensing authorities who have to ensure that experimental procedures are refined to minimise pain, suffering and distress.
This detailed survey indicated that approximately 19% of the animals who underwent severe procedures did not receive any postoperative analgesia. Similarly, humane endpoints were not specified in 57% of the research applications. Post-operative monitoring was frequently insufficient in moderate and severe procedures. The frequency of postoperative checks on the animals was indicated in only 33% of applications and in the majority of these cases the frequency was only once daily. When clinical score sheets were used (in only 13% of applications), only a small portion (12%) included information about monitoring intervals. Critical times when extra monitoring and care should be given were rarely determined. The quality of the score sheets varied. Important information concerning the animals such as general potential negative effects of the procedure was not often included. Hardly any identified critical times when the animals needed extra monitoring and care, and few gave clear instructions on how to intervene and treat, and when to apply humane endpoints. Four articles are going to be published soon: 1) On overview of the project with focus on the anaesthesia and analgesia regimens used 2) One article that focuses on the severity assessment done by the applicants which will be compared to the severity assessment of the Expert Working Group of the European Commission. 3) An article which discusses the killing methods used. 4) An article that focuses on the monitoring and postoperative care.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Special animal species
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
BfR - Centre for Documentation and Evaluation of Alternatives to Animal Experiments (BfR - ZEBET)
