Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - Office of ...

ENVIRONMENT, hOUSING, ANd MANAGEMENTGeneration of animals with multiple genetic alterations often involvescrossing different GMA lines and can lead to the production of offspringwith genotypes that are not of interest to the researcher (either as experimentalor control animals) as well as unexpected phenotypes. Carefullydesigned breeding strategies and accurate genotype assessment can helpto minimize the generation of animals with unwanted genotypes (Linder2003). Newly generated genotypes should be carefully monitored andnew phenotypes that negatively affect well-being should be reported tothe IACUC and managed in a manner to ensure the animals’ health andwell-being.Accurate recording, with standardized nomenclature when available,of both the strain and substrain or of the genetic background of animalsused in a research project is important (NRC 1979b). Several publicationsprovide rules developed by international committees for standardizednomenclature of outbred rodents and rabbits (Festing et al. 1972), inbredrats, inbred mice, and transgenic animals (FELASA 2007; Linder 2003). Inaddition, the International Committee on Standardized Genetic Nomenclaturefor Mice and the Rat Genome and Nomenclature Committee maintainonline guidelines for these species (MGI 2009).AQUATIC ANIMALSThe variety of needs for fish and aquatic or semiaquatic reptiles andamphibians is as diverse as the number of species considered. This section isintended to provide facility managers, veterinarians, and IACUCs with basicinformation related to the management of aquatic animal systems (Alworthand Harvey 2007; Alworth and Vazquez 2009; Browne et al. 2007; Browneand Zippel 2007; Denardo 1995; DeTolla et al. 1995; Koerber and Kalishman2009; Lawrence 2007; Matthews et al. 2002; Pough 2007). Specificrecommendations are available in texts and journal reviews, and it will benecessary to review other literature and consult with experienced caregiversfor further detail on caring for aquatic species (see Appendix A).Aquatic EnvironmentMicroenironment and MacroenironmentAs with terrestrial systems, the microenironment of an aquatic animalis the physical environment immediately surrounding it—the primary enclosuresuch as the tank, raceway, or pond. It contains all the resources withwhich the animals are in direct contact and also provides the limits of theanimals’ immediate environment. The microenvironment is characterizedby many factors, including water quality, illumination, noise, vibration, and