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

ANIMAL CARE ANd USE PROGRAM 33disease studies, administrators, regulators, and IACUCs face a dilemma indeciding how to handle such studies (Stricklin et al. 1990). Decisions oncategorizing research uses of agricultural animals and defining standardsfor their care and use should be made by the IACUC based on both theresearcher’s goals and concern for animal well-being. Regardless of thecategory of research, institutions are expected to provide oversight of allresearch animals and ensure that pain and distress are minimized.The protocol, rather than the category of research, should determine thesetting (farm or laboratory). Housing systems for agricultural animals used inbiomedical research may or may not differ from those used in agriculturalresearch; animals used in either type of research can be housed in cages,stalls, paddocks, or pastures (Tillman 1994). Some agricultural studies needuniform conditions to minimize environmental variability, and some biomedicalstudies are conducted in farm settings. Agricultural research oftennecessitates that animals be managed according to contemporary farmproduction practices (Stricklin and Mench 1994), and natural environmentalconditions might be desirable for agricultural research, whereas controlof environmental conditions to minimize variation might be desirable inbiomedical research (Tillman 1994).The Guide applies to agricultural animals used in biomedical research,including those maintained in typical farm settings. For animals maintainedin a farm setting, the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals inResearch and Teaching (FASS 2010) is a useful resource. Information aboutenvironmental enrichment, transport, and handling may be helpful in bothagricultural and biomedical research settings. Additional information aboutfacilities and management of farm animals in an agricultural setting is availablefrom the Midwest Plan Service (1987) and from agricultural engineersor animal science experts.Postapproval MonitoringContinuing IACUC oversight of animal activities is required by federallaws, regulations, and policies. A variety of mechanisms can be used tofacilitate ongoing protocol assessment and regulatory compliance. Postapprovalmonitoring (PAM) is considered here in the broadest sense, consistingof all types of protocol monitoring after the IACUC’s initial protocolapproval.PAM helps ensure the well-being of the animals and may also provideopportunities to refine research procedures. Methods include continuingprotocol review; laboratory inspections (conducted either during regularfacilities inspections or separately); veterinary or IACUC observation ofselected procedures; observation of animals by animal care, veterinary, andIACUC staff and members; and external regulatory inspections and assess-