[Animal experiments--no vivisection]. / Dierproeven--geen vivisectie.

Summary of the inaugural address, delivered on September 21, 1988, on the assumption of the special laboratory animal science chair which was created by the Animal and Society Foundation in the University of Nijmegen. The ethical and scientific conditions to prevent that animal experiments have to be disqualified as 'vivisection' are discussed.

Tail lesions in C3H/He mice.

C3H/He mice obtained from different suppliers developed tail lesions shortly after arrival. Histologically no inclusion bodies could be shown. A serological survey of diseased mice was negative for those viruses which may cause skin lesions. The disease could not be transmitted to healthy mice and no virus could be cultured from the skin lesions. It is concluded that the syndrome was induced by stress, in this case transport from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands.

[Animal models (author's transl)]. / Diermodellen.

Animal models are frequently used in medico-biological studies. The why and wherefore of animal models, the question of the requirements which have to be satisfied by an animal model, the pros and cons of animal models, the question of alternatives, the types of animal models available, the choice that has to be made and the manner in which an animal model is used, are discussed in succession. In addition, the animal models and techniques in use in the Central Animal Laboratory of the University of Nijmegen are reviewed.

[Experiments in animals (author's transl)]. / Experimenten bij dieren

Experiments in laboratory animals are designed to safeguard patients and subjects from possible injury which might be caused by an experiment. It is also expected, however, that results will be more rapidly obtainable, more accurate and more reliable in laboratory animals. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, small animals in particular have been adapted for research by standardization of the genetic pattern, the microflora, the feed and the environment. This was primarily done for the benefit of particular forms of research; subsequently, the need of adapted experimental animals for all research in behalf of medicine, biology, public health and veterinary medicine was recognized. A number of future developments in the field of experimental studies in animals are the following: standardization of large animals such as monkeys, increasing attention devoted to the choice of the animal model and to controlling the conditions in which an experiment is carried out and the coming into operation of the Experiments in Animals Act. These developments will require increasing expertness and close co-operation between investigators, laboratory animal scientists and animal technicians.

[Veterinarians and experimental animals - duties and rights (author's transl)]. / Dierenartsen en proefdieren - plichten en rechten

Well over one million warm-blooded experimental animals are used in the Netherlands every year. The community is socially responsible for the purposes of research. The team of investigators is responsible for the scientific and technical merits of the experimental study, and this responsibility is based on the special knowledge and skill of those concerned. The future Laboratory Animal Act will not be able to ensure "the rights of animals" by rigid rules. The Act is effective in that it: (a) affords guarantees that experts (including veterinarians having expert knowledge of the care and management of laboratory animals, veterinary inspectors and animal technicians) will assist at experiments on animals and, (b) will make available that data of laboratory animals and types of experiment, which is essential to the proper functioning of social responsibility. The veterinarian having expert knowledge of the care and management of laboratory animals should take steps to ensure that the stress to which animals are exposed in experimental studies is not in excess of the value of the experiment. His attention should therefore be directed to the health and uniformity of the experimental animals, the methods adopted in experimental procedures, the training of animal technicians and medical or biological students, instruction of intending research workers, providing literature on experimental animals and normal values, advice on experimental designs and the choice of an animal model.