Question 1

NC3Rs Webinar: 3Rs advice for project licence applicants

Accepted Answer

All scientific work carried out in the UK under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 must be part of a programme of work authorised by a project licence. An important part of the ethical review and licensing process is ensuring that the principles of the 3Rs are robustly applied. In order to achieve this, when applying for a project licence, applicants are asked to detail how they have considered and applied the 3Rs to their research. To learn more about the 3Rs and how they can drive better science and animal welfare, view this video presentation from the NC3Rs.

https://vimeo.com/438220000

Find more 3Rs guidance for project licence applicants at nc3rs.org.uk/PPLadvice.

Question 2

The Interspecies Database

Accepted Answer

https://www.interspeciesinfo.com/

The Interspecies Database helps researchers to make an optimal choice of species and strain of the animal model, which is essential for efficient extrapolation of animal data to humans or other animals.

https://malcolm-en-gb.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/instances/hwAzJt6PVl/resources/P8pc5vf4S0/banner-2.png (mouse)

The Interspecies Database is part of the 3Rs Database Programme, together with www.humane-endpoints.info and fcs-free.org. These websites will help you with the refinement and replacement of animal experiments, respectively.

Question 3

3Rs Principles in Wildlife Research

Accepted Answer

3rswildlife.info

This site has been created to provide information about the 3Rs principles of animal use and guide their application in wildlife research. It contains examples of peer-reviewed studies that implemented non-lethal or non-invasive methods and that could be used as guidance. It is the first online resource of its kind developed specifically for wildlife biologists, ecologists, and conservation managers.

Question 4

Identifying obstacles preventing the uptake of tunnel handling methods for laboratory mice: An international thematic survey

Accepted Answer

Identifying obstacles preventing the uptake of tunnel handling methods for laboratory mice: An international thematic survey

Lindsay J. Henderson, Tom V. Smulders, Johnny V. Roughan
Published: April 14, 2020
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0231454

Abstract

Handling of laboratory mice is essential for experiments and husbandry, but handling can increase anxiety in mice, compromising their welfare and potentially reducing replicability between studies. The use of non-aversive handling (e.g., tunnel handling or cupping), rather than the standard method of picking mice up by the tail, has been shown to enhance interaction with a handler, reduce anxiety-like behaviours, and increase exploration and performance in standard behavioural tests. Despite this, some labs continue to use tail handling for routine husbandry, and the extent to which non-aversive methods are being used is currently unknown. Here we conducted an international online survey targeting individuals that work with and/or conduct research using laboratory mice. The survey aimed to identify the handling methods currently being used, and to determine common obstacles that may be preventing the wider uptake of non-aversive handling. We also surveyed opinions concerning the current data in support of non-aversive handling for mouse welfare and scientific outcomes. 390 complete responses were received and analysed quantitatively and thematically. We found that 35% report using tail handling only, and 43% use a combination of tail and non-aversive methods. 18% of respondents reported exclusively using non-aversive methods. The vast majority of participants were convinced that non-aversive handling improves animal welfare and scientific outcomes. However, the survey indicated that researchers were significantly less likely to have heard of non-aversive handling and more likely to use tail handling compared with animal care staff. Thematic analysis revealed there were concerns regarding the time required for non-aversive methods compared with tail handling, and that there was a perceived incompatibility of tunnel handling with restraint, health checks and other routine procedures. Respondents also highlighted a need for additional research into the impact of handling method that is representative of experimental protocols and physiological indicators used in the biomedical fields. This survey highlights where targeted research, outreach, training and funding may have the greatest impact on increasing uptake of non-aversive handling methods for laboratory mice.

Question 5

NC3Rs Non-human primate accommodation, care and use guidelines

Accepted Answer

NC3Rs Non-human primate accommodation, care and use guidelines

The guidelines were originally published in 2006 and updated in 2017. They have been instrumental in improving the housing and care of non-human primates at UK universities and other publicly funded laboratories internationally through, for example, requiring increased space for the animals, social housing and daily foraging opportunities – all of which are critical for NHP welfare. The guidelines exceed the legal minimum standards required by the UK Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and associated Codes of Practice, the US ILAR Guide, and similar international texts.

Question 6

Genetic quality assurance and genetic monitoring of laboratory mice and rats: FELASA Working Group Report

Accepted Answer

Genetic quality assurance (QA), including genetic monitoring (GeMo) of inbred strains and background characterization (BC) of genetically altered (GA) animal models, should be an essential component of any QA programme in laboratory animal facilities. Genetic quality control is as important for ensuring the validity of the animal model as health and microbiology monitoring are. It should be required that studies using laboratory rodents, mainly mice and rats, utilize genetically defined animals. This paper, presented by the FELASA Working Group on Genetic Quality Assurance and Genetic Monitoring of Laboratory Murines, describes the objectives of and available methods for genetic QA programmes in rodent facilities. The main goals of any genetic QA programme are: (a) to verify the authenticity and uniformity of inbred stains and substrains, thus ensuring a genetically reliable colony maintenance; (b) to detect possible genetic contamination; and (c) to precisely describe the genetic composition of GA lines. While this publication focuses mainly on mouse and rat genetic QA, the principles will apply to other rodent species some of which are briefly mentioned within the context of inbred and outbred stocks.

DOI: 10.1177/0023677219867719

Question 7

NC3Rs introductory training video on the 3Rs

Accepted Answer

Any aspiring in vivo researcher or animal technician should have a firm understanding of how following the principles of the 3Rs can drive better science and improved animal welfare.

This 18 minute video presentation has been created by NC3Rs to serve as a foundation for this understanding, and to encourage scientists and animal technicians to consider and implement the 3Rs throughout their careers.

It is also an excellent primer for anyone interested to learn more about the 3Rs in principle and practice.

The video includes:

Definitions and explanations of each of the 'Rs'
Practical advice on how to implement the 3Rs throughout a research project
Video case studies of 3Rs research
Information on the various resources the NC3Rs provides to support anyone working with animals in research

https://vimeo.com/289645718

Demonstrating the 3Rs in principle and practice. nc3rs.org.uk

Question 8

Improving animal welfare at Newcastle University by introducing the low stress handling of mice

Accepted Answer

Senior CBC Animal Care Technician Emma Hamilton has written an article on the development of 'non-aversive' handling (NAH) at Newcastle University which was recently published in the IAT Journal 'Animal Technology and Welfare'.

Improving animal welfare at Newcastle University by introducing the low stress handling of mice (PDF:4MB)

Question 9

Advice from the NC3Rs on the housing and husbandry of dogs

Accepted Answer

This page on the NC3Rs website provides advice on the housing of laboratory dogs, tools for their welfare assessment, and suggestions for refinement of procedures used in safety assessment studies.

https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/housing-and-husbandry-dogs