IACUC Considerations for the Use of Livestock in Translational Research.

Through its program oversight function, the institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) plays a central role in ensuring the humane use and care of animals in research. To be effective in this role, the IACUC requires explicit knowledge of the species for which it bears oversight responsibility. Owing to a variety of species-specific factors, such as their relatively large size and range of acceptable housing environments, livestock present many special considerations for the IACUC. This article reviews many of those considerations in a format intended to aid IACUCs in the review of animal care and use programs involving livestock species used in translational research.

Contracting in vivo research: what are the issues?

As a result of increasing internal and external pressures, research institutions are using contract research organizations for the conduct of in vivo research. Many issues arise when contracting animal research, including concern regarding animal health and welfare. Each sponsor institution should develop a program for outsourced in vivo research that evaluates and ensures appropriate care and use of research animals. Each sponsoring institution should consider establishing a policy and procedure for how outsourced in vivo studies will be approved, conducted, and monitored. An approved list of contract facilities can be established on the basis of accepted standards for animal care and use. Written contracts should include confidentiality agreements, the delineation of animal ownership, and the expectation to comply with all applicable regulations and guidelines for research animal care and use. Finally, a process for communication of adverse study or animal welfare events should be established. Thorough evaluation of contract organizations will help ensure appropriate research animal care and use.

Training for best practices for agricultural programs.

As with other areas of animal research, ensuring the proper training and qualifications of the individuals working with agricultural animals for use in research, teaching, and testing is critical to both animal welfare and the successful outcome of the study or teaching exercise. The author provides guidance for the development of appropriate training programs for organizations that use agricultural animals in research.