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Guidance for the Description ofAnimal Research in Scientific Publications
Pages 1-26

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From page 1...
... To promote the inclusion of sufficient information in publications on animal studies,1 the National Research Council's Institute for Laboratory Animal Research (ILAR) appointed a committee of experts in laboratory animal research and scientific publishing to provide guidance for journal editors, authors, and reviewers.
From page 2...
... It also describes approaches to facilitate the provision of such information. 1.1 The Need for Guidance Analyses of published studies with research animals have demonstrated numerous deficiencies in the reporting of details in research methods for animal studies (Kilkenny 2009; Vesterinen et al.
From page 3...
... and encourages journal editors and authors to use such a resource in conjunction with this report in determining the specific information to include in study reports for their publications. 1.3 Organization and Content of This Report This report is organized in general sections that align with the types of information to be considered for inclusion in the materials and methods section of a scientific manuscript, with discussion of particular aspects and variables that can influence outcomes: • the research animal (including source, genetics, microbial/pathogen status, preparation and study assignment, and monitoring during the study)
From page 4...
... The amount of detail will depend on the type of study, the type of endpoint, and how light might affect the research -- a study of phototoxic retinopathy in albino rodents or a breeding study in cats might require a very different description of lighting than the study of a surgical procedure in dogs. This report elucidates specific factors to consider when determining the details necessary for descriptions of research animal environment and husbandry, with selected references that provide information about species and types of models as well as factors known to induce variability in research outcomes.
From page 5...
... are critical parameters to provide for all animal studies. The use of terms such as "weanling," "fry," "fingerling," "aged animal," and "retired breeder" for research animal description in the materials section of manuscripts is not sufficient or clear for describing life stage or physiologic status.
From page 6...
... How was the animal maintained during and after the surgery and throughout the experiment? Many institutions encourage the efficient use, sharing, and/or reuse of research animals as a way to reduce the overall numbers of animals used.
From page 7...
... Journal policies that require authors to use current, complete genetic nomenclature for all experimental cohorts and control groups will help to minimize ambiguity and promote evaluation, interpretation, and replication. 3.4 Microbial/Pathogen Status A great advance in laboratory animal science has been the control of common infections that plagued commercial rodent colonies in the past.
From page 8...
... 4 The Research Animal Environment (Study Conditions) The study conditions of the research animal environment can be difficult to succinctly describe but are critical to interpretation and evaluation (Reliene and Schiestl 2006)
From page 9...
... . 4.2 Water Specific information about drinking water source, delivery methods, and treatments (e.g., acidification, chlorination, sterilization)
From page 10...
... . Growing international interest in the welfare of research animals has led to support for the provision of environmental complexity and enrichment and, when possible, the housing of research animals in socially compatible groups.
From page 11...
... (Euthanasia is further discussed in the section on Basic Animal Methodology.) 5.2 Administration of Anesthetics, Analgesics, and Other Substances It is important to identify all substances administered to research animals, including those not part of the experiment (e.g., treatments for clinical conditions that arise during the study)
From page 12...
... . 5.4 Tissue and Fluid Sample Acquisition Adequate descriptions of tissue and fluid sample acquisition procedures provide specific information about the frequency, technique, equipment, site, and quantity of sampling when tissues or body fluids are obtained from research animals (Kurien et al.
From page 13...
... As international welfare principles increasingly include fish and other aquatic animals, it is appropriate for study reports to fully characterize approaches to environmental enrichment, such as adjustments in tank size, the provision of substrate or structures, water movement, artificial vs. natural light, conspecifics and sex ratio, artificial or real plants, and varied diet.
From page 14...
... Considerable variation in the amount of information required by scientific publications and reported by authors undermines this basic scientific principle and results in the unnecessary use of animals and other resources in failed efforts to reproduce study results. The editors of scientific publications have a role to play in promoting high-quality research reporting by adopting tailored guidelines for their authors and reviewers to ensure adequate descriptions that enable assessment and replication of the reported study.
From page 15...
... 1981. Irradiated laboratory animal diets: Dominant lethal studies in the mouse.
From page 16...
... Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci 39:17-21. Brown NM, Setchell KD.
From page 17...
... Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci 38:18-23. Damon EG, Eidson AF, Hobbs CH, Hahn FF.
From page 18...
... 2004. Laboratory animal science issues in the design and conduct of studies with endocrine-active compounds.
From page 19...
... 2008. Batch-to-batch variability in estrogenic activity in commercial animal diets: Importance and approaches for laboratory animal research.
From page 20...
... Lab Anim Sci 39:237-242. Kilkenny C
From page 21...
... Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci 41:30-35. Mahl A, Heining P, Ulrich P, Jakubowski J, Bobadilla M, Zeller W, Bergmann R, Singer T, Meister L
From page 22...
... Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci 43:14-20. Menninger K, Wieczorek G, Riesen S, Kunkler A, Audet M, Blancher A, Schuurman HJ, Quesniaux V, Bigaud M
From page 23...
... . Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci 38:80-83.
From page 24...
... Contemp Top Lab Anim Sci 43:12-17. Smith JA, Birke L, Sadler D
From page 25...
... 1976. Environmental and genetic factors affecting the response of laboratory animals to drugs.
From page 26...
... . Toxicol Pathol 38:297-302.


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