Exam coverage(Animal Management)

• Laboratory animal science


  The science and technology dealing with the procurement, breeding, care, health, and selection of animals used in biomedical research and testing
• Includes

  • Husbandry
  • Nutrition
  • Behavior
  • Health care
  • Production
  • Management of laboratory animals
• Laboratory animal medicine


  Encompasses the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in animals used in research, teaching, and testing
• Emphasizes


  • Methods to prevent and minimize pain, discomfort, and distress in research animals
  • Facilitates acquisition of biologically meaningful results
  • Minimizes experimental variability
• Responsibilities of laboratory animal medicine veterinarians

  • Provision of veterinary care
  • Management of animal care and use facilities
  • Education of individuals who care for and use laboratory animals
  • Assisting biomedical scientists in the selection of and humane use of animals
  • Obtaining and interpreting biologically relevant data
  • Assuring compliance with regulations and policies that affect research animals
• Responsibilities of veterinary technicians

  • Work under the supervision of a veterinarian
  • Assist in carrying out responsibilities
  • Provide technical support in disease detection, including oversight of colony health monitoring programs, treatment of ill animals, blood sampling, and necropsy and tissue collection
  • Administer test products and collect data
  • Supervise other animal facility staff such as assistant laboratory animal technicians, animal caretakers, and cagewash personnel
• Responsibilities of animal caretakers

  • Closely observe and handle animals on a daily basis
  • Can be instrumental in detecting behavioral changes and identifying early signs of illness so that animals can be promptly assessed by veterinary personnel
• Biomedical research


  The area of science devoted to the study of the processes of life, the prevention and treatment of disease, and the genetic and environmental factors related to disease and health
• Animals played a major role in the advances in medicine and science
• In vivo


  Experimental methods "in life", using living organisms
• Ex vivo


  Experimental methods "out of the living", not requiring the use of animals or animal-derived products
• Most ex vivo testing systems cannot generate sufficiently comprehensive and accurate data representative of an intricate, living being
• Ex vivo testing can be effective and valuable in refining and reducing animal use for some areas of study such as early identification of toxic or ineffective experimental compounds and modeling compound–receptor interactions
• Ways animals play a valuable role in education

  • Hands-on learning
  • Dissection
  • Laboratory methods – immunoassays and molecular diagnostics
  • Surgery
  • Practice for physicians – laser surgery, endoscopic
  • Training courses for medical personnel
  • Clinical technique courses – animal handling, performance of physical exams, injections, and catheterizations
• Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C)


  Created in 1938 to safeguard and protect consumer health and safety from the sale of dangerous products, enforced primarily by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which requires animal testing of products when a scientifically valid, alternative testing method is not available

  
• 792,168 animals whose use is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act

  
• The annual usage of mice, rats, birds, or fish is estimated at 26 million animals
• Mice and rats account for greater than 95% of all animals used
• The number of dogs, cats, and nonhuman primates combined account for less than 1% of the animals used
• The majority of animals used in biomedical research are bred specifically for that purpose
• Funding sources for biomedical research

  • Competitive federal grants
  • Public Health Service (PHS)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Universities and colleges
  • State governments
  • Industry
  • Private foundations
• Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)


  Before the use of animals in research, teaching, or testing, a protocol must be submitted to and approved by the institution's IACUC, which is a detailed, written description of the proposed animal care and use, justifying the use of vertebrate animals, detailing the procedures that will be performed, and describing how the animals will be housed and cared for

  
• Assurances the PI must give to the IACUC

  • The study does not unnecessarily duplicate previous studies
  • The staff working with the animals have adequate training to accomplish the study tasks in a humane manner
  • Alternatives to animal use have been carefully considered
  • Any activities that may induce animal pain or distress are scientifically necessary
• The 3Rs


  Replacement, Refinement, and Reduction - three ethical tenets of responsible animal use
• Replacement


  Replacing animals with a nonanimal alternative, such as in vitro screens, computer modeling, genetically specialized animals, or using the least sentient animal
• Refinement


  Modifying procedures to lessen animal pain and distress or enhance animal well-being, such as using less invasive procedures, providing pain relief, environmental enrichment, and decreased restraint time
• Reduction


  Using the minimal number of animals in a study while remaining consistent with sound scientific and statistical standards, such as using computer-based simulators, better statistical methods, or multiple sections with results from earlier sections used to refine the number of animals or experimental groups used in later sections
• Animal rights


  A philosophical belief that gives animals the same equality and protection as humans, and purports that any use of animals, no matter how humane, is exploitation and should be banned
• Animal welfare


  A philosophical belief that it is morally acceptable for humans to use animals provided they are treated humanely and their physical and psychological well-being is met
• Responsible practices of animal welfare

  • Provision of appropriate housing
  • Handling
  • Management
  • Disease prevention and treatment
  • When necessary, euthanasia
• Class A dealers


  Supply "purpose bred" animals, bred and raised specifically for use in research, with genetically similar backgrounds, defined pedigrees, and well-documented health histories
• Class B dealers


  Acquire animals from "random sources" such as individual owners, hobby breeders, and pounds and shelters, which are tightly regulated
• Use of nonhuman primates in research should be reserved only for when another animal model cannot be used
• Nonhuman primates account for less than 1% of the USDA-regulated animals used in the United States, with the majority being rhesus and cynomolgus macaques
• The use of chimpanzees was invaluable in advancing human health, including for the development of vaccines for polio and hepatitis B, but has been significantly restricted and effectively eliminated
• Organizations related to laboratory animal science and medicine


  • American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
  • Laboratory Animal Management Association (LAMA)
  • American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP)
  • American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM)
  • National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR)
  • Foundation for Biomedical Research (FBR)
  • Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR)
• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)


  A nonprofit, professional association that advances "responsible laboratory animal care and use to benefit people and animals", serving as the principal means of communication between individuals and organizations within the field of laboratory animal science
• AALAS activities


  • Produces scientific journals
  • Certifies trained technicians
  • Promotes education through publications
  • Supports the AALAS Learning Library
  • Hosts an annual national meeting
• AALAS Technician Certification Program levels

  • Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)
  • Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT)
  • Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG)
• Assistant laboratory animal technicians


  Primarily related to animal care and facility sanitation