Publications

Magnetic resonance imaging for early pregnancy diagnosis in the laboratory rat

Pregnancy diagnosis and embryo counting are important end points in reproductive, developmental biology and toxicology studies. The purpose of the present study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for early pregnancy diagnosis and embryo...

Year Published: 2021Topics: ReproductionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Ypsilantis, P., Souftas, V., Vyza, V. et al. 2021. Magnetic resonance imaging for early pregnancy diagnosis in the laboratory rat. Laboratory Animals 55(3), 262-269.

A real-time health notification system aimed at enhancing the interaction between animal care staff and researchers promotes animal welfare

Regardless of the microbiological status of an animal facility, research animals may experience health problems, leading to pain, suffering and distress. Simple and efficient tools are needed to collect data systematically, allowing researchers to react and resolve animals' health issues....

Year Published: 2021Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Yatkin, E., Kulmala, N., Saukkonen, A. et al. 2021. A real-time health notification system aimed at enhancing the interaction between animal care staff and researchers promotes animal welfare. Laboratory Animals 55(3), 281-289.

Comparison of the effects of osmotic pump implantation with subcutaneous injection for administration of drugs after total body irradiation in mice

The increasing potential for radiation exposure from nuclear accidents or terrorist activities has intensified the need to develop pharmacologic countermeasures against injury from total body irradiation (TBI). Many initial experiments to develop and test these countermeasures utilize murine irradiation models....

Year Published: 2021Topics: Cannulation, Catheterization, & Intubation, Disease/Experimental Model, Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Koch, A. L., Rusnak, M., Peachee, K. et al. 2021. Comparison of the effects of osmotic pump implantation with subcutaneous injection for administration of drugs after total body irradiation in mice. Laboratory Animals 55(2), 142-149.

Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations recommendations of best practices for the health management of ruminants and pigs used for scientific and educational purposes

Most ruminants and pigs used for scientific and educational aims are bred not for these purposes but in a farm environment. Given the wide range of diseases that these species might have, ensuring that the animals' health status is appropriate...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle, Goat, Pig, Sheep

Citation: FELASA Working Group on Farm Animals: Berset, C. M., Caristo, M. E., Ferrara, F. et al. 2021. Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations recommendations of best practices for the health management of ruminants and pigs used for scientific and educational purposes. Laboratory Animals 55(2), 117-128.

DIY: Acacia gum sealed paper straws

This DIY snack is great for NHP and can be customized in a variety of ways.

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Lambert, K. 2021. DIY: Acacia gum sealed paper straws. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(3) (May/June), 37.

Use of food enrichment for medication delivery in large groups of sheep

In a 2018 AALAS webinar on Sheep and Goat Analgesia, Dr. Susie Vogel, a small ruminant expert, introduced the concept of getting sheep and goats to willingly take medication by putting it in a tasty food treat. I had doubts...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Analgesia, Animal Training, Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Wilson-Welder, J. H., Frank, A. T. 2021. Use of food enrichment for medication delivery in large groups of sheep. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(3) (May/June), 40-43.

When to wean? A visual guide to Black, White, and Agouti mouse pup growth P14 – P28

Laboratory mouse pups are commonly weaned between postnatal day 21–28. Utilization of an exact wean date postpartum is a concrete metric for mouse colony management, but variation can result such as: developmental differences among genetically modified strains, personnel differences in...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Brogan, E., Kirchain, S. 2021. When to wean? A visual guide to Black, White, and Agouti mouse pup growth P14 – P28. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(3) (May/June), 46-48.

Zebrafish water quality for laboratory animal technicians

Zebrafish are an increasingly popular model organism in many aspects of animal research; however, some aspects of their husbandry needs are quite disparate from that which most lab animal technicians are trained. Possibly the most important aspect of zebrafish husbandry...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Archer, C. 2021. Zebrafish water quality for laboratory animal technicians. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 9(4) (July/August), 11-13.

Refining dosing by oral gavage in the dog: A protocol to harmonise welfare

Introduction: The dog is a frequently-used, non-rodent species in the safety assessment of new chemical entities. We have a scientific and ethical obligation to ensure that the best quality of data is achieved from their use. Oral gavage is a...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Hall, L. E., Robinson, S., Buchanan-Smith, H. E. 2015. Refining dosing by oral gavage in the dog: A protocol to harmonise welfare. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 72, 35-46.

Automated blood sampling in canine telemetry studies: Enabling enhanced assessments of cardiovascular liabilities and safety margins

Introduction: A successful integration of automated blood sampling (ABS) into the telemetry instrumented canine cardiovascular model is presented in this study. This combined model provides an efficient means to quickly gain understanding of potential effects on key cardiovascular parameters in...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Koshman, Y. E., Wilsey, A. S., Bird, B. M. et al. 2021. Automated blood sampling in canine telemetry studies: Enabling enhanced assessments of cardiovascular liabilities and safety margins. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 109, 107066.