CCAC TRAINING MODULE ON: THE ETHICAL USE AND CARE OF FARM ANIMALS

IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

www.ccac.ca

Species Applicability

This training module applies to all farm animals used in biomedical research including: dairy and beef cattle sheepgoats swine poultryhorsesfarmed wildlife

Training Module Goals

Provide an overview of the special care requirements of farm animals in biomedical research

Establish methodology for selecting appropriate farm animal models, as well as endpoints which address animal welfare while achieving scientific goals

Provide investigators with references and resources for the use of farm animals in biomedical research

Basic principles of farm animal welfare, fundamental needs, acquisition, routine handling and specialized procedures and termination of scientific use are covered in the CCAC training

module on: the ethical use and care of farm animals in science (2010)

Training Module Outline

Biomedical research and other applications

Special considerations and challenges

Model selection

Meeting animal needs

Facility and disease control considerations

Example of biomedical application: Medical devices

Farm Animals in Biomedical Research

The purpose of utilizing farm animals in biomedical research and science is to address questions concerning human health

Many applications exist, e.g.:neurological researchdevelopment and testing of pharmaceuticals and

medical devicesreconstructive surgery researchmedical education

Farm Animals in Biomedical Research

Swinee.g., skin grafts or skin testing; reconstructive

surgery

Calvese.g., ventricular assist devices

Chickense.g., production of antibodies in

eggs

Photo courtesy of UBC Animal Welfare Program Photo courtesy of O. ZobelPhoto courtesy of M. Smit

Challenges of Using Farm Animals in Biomedical Research

Scientifically relevant

outcomes

Good animal welfare +

GOAL:

• Consider that agricultural performance and scientific biomedical outcomes may have no relation

• Animal selection and management must be flexible, and made on a case-by-case basis

Consideration for The Three Rs

have replacement and reduction alternatives been considered?

has pain and distress been minimized as much as possible?

Refinement

what is the minimum number of animals needed in order to achieve statistically relevant results?

Reduction

is it possible to use non-animal models?

Replacement

Selecting an Appropriate Farm Animal Model

Husbandry and housing requirements

Availability of information (anatomy, physiology, behaviour)

Suitability to research objectives and experimental conditions

Applicability of resulting data to human physiology

Sentience

Lifespan

Availability in captivity

Tolerance to humans Photo courtesy of M. Smit

Appropriate Models in Relation to Study Duration

Consider growth and life stage in relation to study requirements

Adult human modelsneed physiological, anatomical or biochemical

criteria matchissues: maturity, size, long-term studies difficult

Pediatric Modelsshorter time course to adulthood useful for

answering questions in research timeframe

Other Considerations

Genetic variabilityfarm animals have greater

genetic variability than conventional laboratory animals

consequence: increased

Animal Acquisitionsimilar requirements to conventional research

animals with additional regulations in some cases

variability in treatment response, may require increased number of animals for scientific significance

Photo courtesy of UBC Animal Welfare Program

Meeting Animal Needs in Confinement

Housing constraints and isolation

Negative welfare i

mpacts

Impact interpretation of data

Understanding the needs of animals is necessary to choose an appropriate animal model experimental design should address

the infrastructure needed to meet animal needs

provide exercise every 7 days (minimum)

habituate to handling before study commencement

Photo courtesy of M. Smit

Facilities & Disease Control Considerations

Species-specific husbandry Sanitation and hygiene program to address

animal and human health issuesdedicated equipmentmedical management according to standard

veterinary practicesnecropsy facilities address zoosanitary issues

Zoonoses infection controlparticularly important for “cross-over” agents

Example of a Biomedical Application: Medical Devices Two types of devices

external: may require animal restraint and confinement internal: require on-going short and long-term assessment

strategies

Size and physiological similarities make farm animals good candidates for testing medical devices such as: ventricular assist devices (cardiovascular research) bone implants (endosseous research) implanted cerebral stimulators (neural research)

The testing of medical devices requires careful attention to potential welfare impacts, special care, and endpoint determination

Medical Devices

How do in vivo medical devices impact the animal?

Animal Welfare

Device-Patient

Interfaces(e.g.,

communication with device)

Effect of Device

(e.g., failure)

Device Deployment(e.g., placement inside animal)

Performance Instrumentat

ion(e.g., collecting

data)

Medical Device Testing

Prior to in vivo, test in vitro to ensure intended use is appropriate for target speciesdevices must be designed in the context of intended

use and the target speciesduring design refinement, could use non-survival,

anesthetized animal models

Medical Device Failure & Endpoints

Protocol should include device performance reliability, biocompatibility, device failure and repair strategies

Endpoints should balance the scientific goals and animal welfare, and detail the procedures needed to handle device failure and malfunction minor component – replacement might be an option if repair/replacement of component involves major surgery –

euthanasia may be the most humane endpoint

For further information on endpoints:CCAC guidelines on: choosing an appropriate endpoint in experiments using animals for

research, teaching and testing (1998)CCAC training module on: pain, distress and endpoints

Summary

Farm animals are useful in some biomedical research, as long as the correct model is used

Careful consideration must be given to:balancing animal needs and achieving scientific

goalsunderstanding animal welfare impacts on the

specific biomedical research

Investigators should strive to achieve their scientific goals in line with the best possible animal welfare standards