Boston University (BU) is committed to observing Federal policies and regulations and AAALAC International standards for the humane care and use of animals. This policy describes the acclimation period for rodents. Adherence to this policy is mandatory unless a specific exception has been approved by the IACUC.<\/p>\n
This policy is applicable to all persons responsible for conducting research, teaching, training, breeding, and related activities, hereinafter referred to collectively as \u201cactivities\u201d, involving vertebrate animals at or under the auspices of Boston University.<\/p>\n
In order to prevent additional stress to newly-arrived animals and to ensure transportation stress on experimental animals does not confound research data, Boston University has established the following policies for acclimation of newly arrived research rodents.<\/p>\n
Rodents from approved vendors with defined health profiles do not require quarantine. However, researches should give recently arrived animals \u201ca period for physiologic, psychologic, and nutritional stabilization\u201d before their use. The stabilization time frame depends on the type and duration of animal transportation, the species involved, and the intended use of the animals.10<\/p>\n
This policy does not address rodent quarantine.<\/p>\n
Transportation stress has widespread effects on physiological systems in laboratory animals, including changes in the cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, central nervous, and reproductive systems.<\/p>\n
These transportation stress effects are short-lived, but can confound research data if animals are used before they return to homeostasis and physiological measures return to normal.<\/p>\n
A period of acclimation after transportation to restore homeostasis is generally suggested. Consider the following questions to establish an adequate period for acclimatization:<\/p>\n
Most of the literature on the physiological impact of transportation involves agricultural animals. However, the limited literature on common laboratory animal species generally parallels changes documented in agricultural animals.<\/p>\n
The literature documents elevated heart rate and weight loss, as well as elevated concentrations of adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucose, cortisol, free fatty acids, and \u03b2-hydroxybutyrate. Carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism (both lipolysis and lipogenesis) are altered, and plasma osmolality, albumen, protein, and pack-cell volume increase. Neutrophilia and lymphopenia are also evident.<\/p>\n
These measures generally return to baseline within one to seven days of transportation, although animals that are young, severely stressed, and have stress-sensitive genotypes may show altered physiological measures for several weeks. Other measures such as circadian rhythm and reproductive performance may take several weeks to months to normalize.1<\/p>\n
\u201cNumerous studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of frequently handling research animals before initiation of study protocols as well as in early life.\u201d12<\/p>\n
\u201cAnimals habituated to the handler or which are gentled in early life show less handling stress in later life and react only to the particular experimental stimuli used in the study, whereas non-handled animals are much more likely to react to a new handler as well as to the test situation.\u201d13<\/p>\n
Periods of acclimation exceeding three days may be required for certain studies. It is in the principal investigator\u2019s best interest to ascertain how the studies undertaken are confounded by transportation stress. For example, it has been reported that subsequent to transportation:<\/p>\n
Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring adherence to this policy.<\/p>\n
The Animal Welfare Program<\/strong> and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee<\/strong> are responsible for overseeing implementation of and ensuring compliance with this policy.<\/p>\n Effective Date: 05\/07\/2024Related Policies and References<\/h2>\n
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History<\/h2>\n
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