An Overview of Management Considerations for Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), Cats (Felis catus), and Dogs (Canis familiaris) as Hosts for Brugia Infection.

Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection affecting an estimated 51.4 million people. Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi are used in research because common nonprimate research species such as Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), cats (Felis catus), and dogs (Canis familiaris) can maintain the life cycle of these species of filarial nematodes. Although overall care and management of animals infected with Brugia spp. is relatively straightforward, there are some unique challenges and special considerations that must be addressed when managing a research colony infected with these parasites. In this review, we discuss our experience, share insight into biosafety and clinical management, and describe the expected clinical signs associated with Brugia infection in gerbils, cats, and dogs.

Using an intravenous catheter to carry out abdominal lavage in the gerbil.

Abdominal lavage is used in laboratory rodents for a variety of applications but carries an inherent risk of abdominal organ laceration; therefore, personnel carrying out this procedure must have considerable expertise. In this paper, the authors describe an improved method for delivering sterile media to and collecting peritoneal fluids from dark-clawed Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) that had been peritoneally infected with filarial nematode parasites (genus Brugia). To carry out this gravity-assisted technique, the authors used a catheter to introduce sterile media into the peritoneal cavity of each gerbil and then to passively drain peritoneal fluid and larval worms for collection. Average fluid recovery was consistently greater when using this gravity-assisted method than when using aspiration. Larval parasites were recovered by both methods. To recover large volumes of fluid using the standard method of abdominal lavage, personnel typically must euthanize rodents. This gravity-assisted technique allows researchers to collect large numbers of parasite larvae without euthanizing gerbils.

A novel system for individually housing bullfrogs.

A researcher at the authors' institution needed to house adult bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) individually. The authors responded to this need by modifying 5-gallon plastic buckets to use for individual housing of bullfrogs. These buckets provided a simple, inexpensive housing system that successfully maintained healthy and behaviorally normal frogs. The authors describe the housing and husbandry of the bullfrogs in this individual housing situation and recommend it for use by others.

IACUC issues associated with amphibian research.

Numerous species of amphibians are frequently utilized as animal models in biomedical research. Despite their relatively common occurrence as laboratory animals, the regulatory guidelines that institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) must employ provide little in the way of written standards for ectothermic animals. Yet, as vertebrates, laboratory amphibians are covered by the National Research Council Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy for federally funded research. This article focuses on three issues that are relevant to IACUC oversight of the use of amphibians in research: (1) recommended educational requirements of investigators and animal care staff engaged in research with amphibians, (2) zoonoses and other issues of occupational health importance, and (3) indicators of stress and disease. Addressing these issues should enable investigators, IACUCs, and animal care staff to meet the regulatory expectations of the PHS and accrediting bodies such as the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International.

Blood collection from the orbital sinus of swine.

Swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) are increasingly used as animal models in biomedical research. Often blood samples from these animals are needed for research protocols, but phlebotomy can be difficult, especially with young swine. This column describes a relatively simple technique for blood collection that can be used specifically with young swine.

Developing an online orientation resource for users of institutional animal housing facilities.

Institutions can share information and orientation materials easily and effectively using modern media and communications technology. For this reason the Office of Animal Care and Use at the University of Georgia developed an online orientation resource for users of its animal housing facilities. Here the authors describe the resource and the planning and project management that accompanied its development. The authors explain the rationale behind each of their decisions and describe select organizational methods that contributed to the success of the project. They describe their own experience, in the context of their institutional circumstances, for the benefit of other institutions that might consider developing a similar resource.

Assessment of Blood Collection from the Lateral Saphenous Vein for Microfilaria Counts in Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) Infected with Brugia pahangi.

The NIH guidelines for survival bleeding of mice and rats note that using the retroorbital plexus has a greater potential for complications than do other methods of blood collection and that this procedure should be performed on anesthetized animals. Lateral saphenous vein puncture has a low potential for complications and can be performed without anesthesia. Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) are the preferred rodent model for filarial parasite research. To monitor microfilaria counts in the blood, blood sampling from the orbital plexus has been the standard. Our goal was to refine the blood collection technique. To determine whether blood collection from the lateral saphenous vein was a feasible alternative to retroorbital sampling, we compared microfilaria counts in blood samples collected by both methods from 21 gerbils infected with the filarial parasitic worm Brugia pahangi. Lateral saphenous vein counts were equivalent to retroorbital counts at relatively high counts (greater than 50 microfilariae per 20 µL) but were significantly lower than retroorbital counts when microfilarial concentrations were lower. Our results indicate that although retroorbital collection may be preferable when low concentrations of microfilariae need to be enumerated, the lateral saphenous vein is a suitable alternative site for blood sampling to determine microfilaremia and is a feasible refinement that can benefit the wellbeing of gerbils.

Endotracheal intubation and oral gavage in the domestic chicken.

The domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) is increasing in popularity as a laboratory animal, as it is useful in multiple fields of biomedical research and has the practical benefits of being relatively inexpensive, easy to handle and able to adapt to various settings. Here, we describe two procedures commonly used with chickens in research: endotracheal intubation and oral gavage.

Techniques for collecting blood from the domestic chicken.

As the use of chickens in biomedical research is increasing, demand is growing for technical skills involving poultry, particularly techniques such as venipuncture. Phlebotomy (blood collection) is an important diagnostic tool for determining causes of morbidity and mortality and for collection of other research-relevant data. This column describes four standard methods of blood collection from the domestic chicken.

The effects of music on animal physiology, behavior and welfare.

Physiological and psychological effects of listening to music have been documented in humans. The changes in physiology, cognition and brain chemistry and morphology induced by music have been studied in animal models, providing evidence that music may affect animals similarly to humans. Information about the potential benefits of music to animals suggests that providing music may be used as a means of improving the welfare of laboratory animals, such as through environmental enrichment, stress relief and behavioral modification. The authors review the current research on music's effect on animals' physiology and behavior and discuss its potential for improving animal welfare. They conclude that the benefits of providing music to laboratory animals depend on the species and the type of music.

Unassisted blood collection from unanesthetized rats and gerbils.

Blood collection is a common procedure in animal research. This column describes humane methods of collecting blood from the rat and the gerbil that can be carried out by a single person on an awake animal.

Laboratory reptile surgery: principles and techniques.

Reptiles used for research and instruction may require surgical procedures, including biopsy, coelomic device implantation, ovariectomy, orchidectomy, and esophogostomy tube placement, to accomplish research goals. Providing veterinary care for unanticipated clinical problems may require surgical techniques such as amputation, bone or shell fracture repair, and coeliotomy. Although many principles of surgery are common between mammals and reptiles, important differences in anatomy and physiology exist. Veterinarians who provide care for these species should be aware of these differences. Most reptiles undergoing surgery are small and require specific instrumentation and positioning. In addition, because of the wide variety of unique physiologic and anatomic characteristics among snakes, chelonians, and lizards, different techniques may be necessary for different reptiles. This overview describes many common reptile surgery techniques and their application for research purposes or to provide medical care to research subjects.

Transtracheal aspiration and infusion in the horse.

Transtracheal access enables researchers to obtain diagnostic samples from or infuse materials into the lower respiratory tract. This column describes transtracheal aspiration and infusion of horses.

Human handling promotes compliant behavior in adult laboratory rabbits.

Routine laboratory procedures can be stressful for laboratory animals. We wanted to determine whether human handling of adult rabbits could induce a degree of habituation, reducing stress and facilitating research-related manipulation. To this end, adult New Zealand white rabbits were handled either frequently or minimally. After being handled over 3 wk, these rabbits were evaluated by novel personnel and compared with minimally handled controls. Evaluators subjectively scored the rabbits for their relative compliance or resistance to being scruffed and removed from their cages, being transported to a treatment room, and their behavior at all stages of the exercise. Upon evaluation, handled rabbits scored significantly more compliant than nontreated controls. During evaluation, behaviors that the rabbits displayed when they were approached in their cages and while being handled outside their cages were recorded and compared between study groups. Handled rabbits displayed behavior consistent with a reduction in human-directed fear. This study illustrates the potential for handling to improve compliance in laboratory procedures and reduce fear-related behavior in laboratory rabbits. Such handling could be used to improve rabbit welfare through the reduction of stress and exposure to novel stimuli.