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Holding Protocol (IACUC)

Last updated on September 5, 2023 5 min read Holding Protocol (IACUC)

Purpose

Boston University (BU) is committed to the humane care and use of animals. The intent of this policy is to provide a mechanism for holding research animals not assigned to current BU protocols.

Covered Parties

This policy is applicable to all persons responsible for conducting research, teaching, training, breeding, and related activities, hereinafter referred to collectively as “activities”, involving live vertebrate animals conducted at or under the auspices of Boston University.

University Policy

Animal research protocols must meet all federal regulations. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is responsible for ensuring that all animal use meets federal law, Public Health Service policy, and our accreditation standards. All animals maintained by Boston University Animal Science Center must be covered by an active IACUC-approved protocol. This policy addresses holding animals on a global animal holding protocol when an animal is not covered by an approved IACUC protocol but is housed at BU.

Special Requirements

ASC Fees: Per diems for animals will be charged to the investigator (or their department) while animals are on the holding protocol. Animal related costs may not be charged to federal funding sources while animals are on the holding protocol.

Applicable Locations

This policy applies to all animals required to be covered under BU IACUC protocols for breeding, research, training, teaching or related activities.

 

Procedures and Instructions

Use of the ASC Holding Protocol is intended to be temporary. Situations where it might be used include, but are not limited to:

  1. Animals ordered without an approved protocol (noncompliance)
  2. Animals originating from inactive (or terminated) protocols
  3. Animals on a protocol under investigation for potential or documented noncompliance or where welfare or wellbeing of the animals is in question
  4. New investigators without an IACUC-approved protocol with animals that may require immediate housing
  5. Investigators that are leaving BU and do not have approval for transfer to new institution
  6. Animals left over from an experiment or protocol that has ended but may be useful to other investigators in the near future

Assigning Animals to Holding Protocol and Charges

ASC staff are only authorized to transfer animals on a holding protocol to another PI after consultation with the original PI.

Animals will be transferred to the ASC holding protocol by ASC when warranted. AWP will notify ASC of protocols that are expiring or being suspended so that animals may be transferred. If animals are to be held in advance of research protocol approval, the PI must request this action with the help of the AV and the IACUC.

Management of animals on ASC Holding Protocol

No experimental procedures are allowed. Any use of animals will be treated as noncompliance.

Breeding should not occur on the holding protocol. Breeding groups will be separated. Dams will be allowed to nurse litters, which will be separated at weaning. Per diems apply to cages created to allow for cessation of breeding.

In cases where breeding is required to maintain viability of specific non-commercially available lines, breeding may be permitted to continue under ASC management by the IACUC.

Feeding, sanitation, and environmental enrichment will be performed per standard ASC SOPs. Husbandry duties will be performed by ASC care staff for central facilities. In satellite facilities, PIs or researchers may be permitted to continue husbandry of nonstandard lab species under IACUC and AV approval.

Tissues may be collected for experimental use from non-USDA covered animals if they are euthanized based on criteria in the holding protocol, such as animal health concerns.

Animals may not be euthanized for research purposes.

No additional animals may be ordered onto the Holding Protocol in anticipation of IACUC approval or renewal of a study.

Animal Care Staff must be notified of any phenotype or experimental manipulations to animals being transferred to the holding protocol that may present a hazard to staff or animal welfare. These may include but are not limited to:

  1. Surgical history or implants
  2. Viral vectors, zoonotic agents
  3. Chemical or radiation hazards
  4. Special dietary needs

Timeline

In cases of protocol expiration, animals may remain on the ASC Holding protocol for 30 days from the expiration of the prior protocol. If the time elapses and a renewal is not submitted, the animals may be transferred to a different approved protocol or euthanized by the AV or Animal Care staff. Animals that are still present at this deadline with no clinical concerns will not be euthanized prior to discussion with the investigator. ASC will strive to avoid unnecessary euthanasia of animals.

Animals may remain on the Holding Protocol if the protocol submission is being reviewed by the IACUC. If approval is withheld by the IACUC, animals may be transferred to a different approved protocol or euthanized by the AV or Animal Care staff.

Exceptions to this timeline may be approved on a case by case basis by the AV in conjunction with the IACUC.

Forms

ASC shall transfer animals to the Holding Protocol if a protocol is expired or suspended. If animals are to be held in advance of a PI’s protocol approval due to transfer from another institution, the PI should make the request for incoming animals to be received onto the Holding Protocol (PROTO9201800040). All transfer or import requests are made in AOps, which is accessed via https://buasc.bu.edu/.

Records Management

All transfers are kept on record at ASC, and the AV or designee will be the PI for the Holding Protocol.

Responsible Parties

Principal Investigators: Are responsible for ensuring that protocols are approved by the IACUC for all current and any anticipated animal use.

 IACUC:  is the committee responsible for oversight and evaluation of the entire Animal Care and Use Program and its components as described in other sections of The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Its oversight functions include review and approval of proposed animal use (protocol review) and of proposed significant changes to animal use; regular inspection of facilities and animal use areas; regular review of the Program; ongoing assessment of animal care and use; and establishment of a mechanism for receipt and review of concerns involving the care and use of animals at the institution.

 Attending Veterinarian or Designee: has been delegated authority to implement BU’s veterinary care program and to oversee the adequacy of all other aspects of animal care and use. The AV or designee maintains the ASC Holding Protocol to receive and maintain animals that are not covered by an approved IACUC protocol.

History

Effective Date: 9/5/2023
Next Review Date: 9/4/2026

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