Doctoral thesis (Dissertations and theses)
REFINEMENT OF PERI-ANAESTHESIA PRACTICES FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL CARE
Thomas, Aurélie
2016
 

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Keywords :
Refinement; Anaesthesia; Laboratory animals
Abstract :
[en] Life sciences (i.e. fundamental science, translational medicine, pharmaceuticals) represent a major strategic market in Europe. The industry is highly innovative and dynamic but continues to rely on the use of laboratory animals to model most human diseases. Russell and Burch first enounced the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) in 1959. The 3Rs summarise the ethical compromises appended to the use of any laboratory animal for medical of scientific advancements and have as such been thoroughly quoted in all contexts relating to the use of animals in research—e.g., in laws, policies, ethical statements, textbooks. The work presented in this thesis is especially concerned with the concept of refinement, defined as “any decrease in the incidence or severity of inhumane procedures applied to those animals which still have to be used”. The control of pain and distress by appropriate use of anaesthetic and analgesic agents represents a major aspect of the refinement of research procedures. This last statement, while simple, does not fully translate into the reality of pain and distress management for laboratory animals. While anaesthesia is near-always used when indicated, chosen anaesthetic agents or inappropriate per-anaesthesia monitoring might indirectly contribute to increasing morbidity, mortality, or inter-individual variations. An inevitable consequence is an increase in the required sample size, contradicting the principle of reduction. Additionally, only a minority of small mammals receives appropriate analgesia after experimental surgical procedures. Pain, or the lack of standard pain relief strategy would further exacerbate unwanted variations between subjects. Perceived technical difficulties, fear of unwanted interactions of anaesthetic and analgesic agents with the primary aims of the procedure, and failure to identify animals in pain are commonly quoted to justify such sub-optimal refinement of scientific procedures. The objectives of the present thesis were to: (1) Describe the impact of non-binding guidelines on peri-anaesthesia practices in laboratory animal care; (2) Document the practicality and efficiency of refined anaesthesia, analgesia and euthanasia techniques routinely performed in laboratory animal procedures; (3) Contribute to the development of a pain assessment method for laboratory animals. The scientific contributions from this thesis are:  Non-binding guidelines such as the Stroke Therapy Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) guidelines did not succeed in changing peri-anaesthesia practice in rat stroke models.  The vast majority of rats undergoing surgery for cerebral ischemia models are not intubated or mechanically ventilated. Abstract of the thesis 10  Endotracheal intubation of small mammals such as marmosets is straightforward and can be performed with readily available materials (over-the-needle catheter and Silastic tubing); it should be part of standard anaesthetic care.  When concerns surround the use of systemic opioids for analgesia, the intrathecal route could be considered in rodents. Transcutaneous administration of morphine (L6-S1) is easily performed (82% success at 1st attempt) in anaesthetised rats using cheap and readily-available material (hypodermic 25G needle and syringe), and provides analgesia for up to 8 h (acute surgical pain).  Adding N2O to a rising concentration of CO2 (60 % and 20 % of the chamber volume per minute) shortens the time to loss of consciousness by 10 % in mice being euthanised, without any behavioural sign of distress. Nitrous oxide may therefore reduce the duration of any stress or distress to which mice are exposed during euthanasia.  Rabbits experience pain during the tattooing process. Variation of facial expressions can be used as a means to identify acute pain in rabbits using a Rabbit Grimace Scale. The refinement of peri-anaesthesia techniques is both possible and effective (Studies II-VI), and their impact on the welfare and quality of life of laboratory animals is discussed. Given that attempts to improve animal welfare by merely adopting legislation and guidelines (Study I), and hoping for their implementation at a scientific level have only returned disappointing results, other approaches are further discussed as perpective for future refinement of laboratory animal use.
Disciplines :
Veterinary medicine & animal health
Author, co-author :
Thomas, Aurélie ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Doct. sc. vété. (Bologne)
Language :
English
Title :
REFINEMENT OF PERI-ANAESTHESIA PRACTICES FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL CARE
Defense date :
21 September 2016
Number of pages :
309
Institution :
ULiège - Université de Liège
Degree :
GRADE DE DOCTEUR EN SCIENCES VETERINAIRES
Promotor :
Sandersen, Charlotte  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'Enseignement et de Clinique des animaux de Compagnie (DCC) > Anesthésiologie et réanimation des animaux de compagnie
Flecknell, Paul
President :
Dewals, Benjamin G  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals and Health (FARAH) > FARAH: Santé publique vétérinaire
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since 08 September 2016

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