Acclimation Period for Newly Received Laboratory Animals
- Rationale
- Policy
- Requirements for Rodents and Non-Mammalian Vertebrates
- Requirements for Other Mammals
Rationale
Transportation and introduction of animals into a vivarium with new housing conditions, changes in social groupings, new feed, and new care staff are potentially stressful events. Animals need a period of time for physiological, psychological, and nutritional stabilization to occur. An acclimation period allows animals time to stabilize in a new environment and promotes both animal welfare and reproducible experimental results.
Policy
Newly received laboratory animals must be held for a minimum period of time (depending on the species and procedural use) without undergoing any experimental or other manipulation.
Rodents and non-mammalian vertebrates
Rodents and non-mammalian vertebrates such as birds, amphibians and reptiles must have a minimum acclimation period of 48 hours before undergoing any survival procedures. For terminal procedures, an acclimation period of 48 hours is recommended but not required.
Other mammals
Non-rodent mammals must have a minimum acclimation period of 72 hours before undergoing survival procedures. In addition, before undergoing any research procedures, animals must appear healthy, and have normal appetites and other bodily functions. For terminal research procedures, an acclimation period of 72 hours is recommended to ensure the validity of research results. For terminal training procedures, an acclimation period is not required.
References
Conour LA, Murray KA, Brown MJ. Preparation of animals for research--issues to consider for rodents and rabbits. ILAR J. 2006;47(4):283-93.
Obernier JA, Baldwin RL. Establishing an appropriate period of acclimatization following transportation of laboratory animals. ILAR J. 2006;47(4):364-9.
