CCAC TRAINING MODULE ON:

FARM ANIMALS USED IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH

www.ccac.ca

Relevance of this Training Module

This training module is relevant to all animal users working with farm animals used in biomedical research

This module covers the following farm animals: dairy and beef cattle sheep goats swine poultry horses farmed wildlife

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Photo courtesy of Animal Resources Centre, University of Saskatchewan

Training Module Goals

Provide an overview of the special care requirements of farm animals in biomedical research

Explain the important considerations relating to the selection of appropriate farm animal models

Provide investigators with references and resources for the use of farm animals in biomedical research

Basic principles of farm animal welfare, fundamental needs, acquisition, routine handling and specialized procedures and termination of scientific use are covered in the

CCAC training module on: the ethical use and care of farm animals in science (2010)

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Training Module Outline

Farm animals in biomedical research

Special challenges and considerations related to using farm animals in biomedical research

Animal model selection

Meeting animal needs

Facility and disease control considerations

Example of biomedical applications: medical devices

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Farm Animals in Biomedical Research

The purpose of using farm animals in biomedical research is to address questions concerning human health

Many applications exist, e.g.,:neurological researchdevelopment and testing of

pharmaceuticals and medical devices

reconstructive surgery researchmedical education

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Fertilized eggs are used in vaccine development

Sheepe.g., examining perinatal and neonatal development

Examples of Farm Animals in Biomedical Research

Swinee.g., skin grafts or skin testing, reconstructive surgery

Calvese.g., ventricular assist devices

Chickense.g., production of antibodies in eggs

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Photo courtesy of UBC Animal Welfare Program

Challenges of Using Farm Animals in Biomedical Research

Scientifically relevant

outcomes

Good animal welfare +

Goal:

• Agricultural performance and scientific biomedical outcomes may have no relation

• Animal selection and management must be flexible, and made on a case-by-case basis

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Considerations for The Three Rs

Refinement

Reduction

Replacement

See the CCAC training module on: the Three Rs of humane animal experimentation (2003) and the CCAC Three Rs microsite at

www.ccac.ca/en/alternatives for further information on the topic of the Three Rs 8

Is it possible to use non-animal models?

What is the minimum number of animals needed in order to achieve statistically relevant results?

Have replacement and reduction alternatives been considered?

Are pain and distress minimized as much as possible?

Selecting Appropriate Farm Animal Models

Sentience

Lifespan

Availability in captivity

Tolerance to humans

Husbandry and housing requirements

Availability of information (anatomy, physiology, behaviour)

Suitability to research objectives and experimental conditions

Applicability of resulting data to human physiology

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Appropriate Farm Animal Models: Veterinarian & Handler Considerations

Farm animals models are very different from rodent models

The involvement of a veterinarian is critical in all aspects of biomedical research planning and implementation

Animal care personnel must receive appropriate training in the care and handling of the specific species being used

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Appropriate Farm Animal Models: Study Duration Considerations

Consider growth and life stage in relation to study requirements

Adult human modelsneed for physiological, anatomical or biochemical criteria

match issues: maturity, size, long-term studies difficult

Pediatric modelsshorter time course to adulthood useful for answering questions in

research timeframe

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Genetic variabilityfarm animals have greater genetic variability than

conventional laboratory animals increased variability in treatment response, may require

increased number of animals for scientific significance

Animal acquisitionsimilar requirements to conventional research animalsadditional regulations in some cases

Appropriate Farm Animal Models: Other Considerations

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Meeting Animal Needs in Confinement

Understanding the social and behavioural needs of animals is necessary in order to choose an appropriate farm animal model: experimental design should address the infrastructure

needed to meet animal needsexercise should be provided every 7 days (minimum)animals should be habituated to handling before study

commencement

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Facilities & Disease Control Considerations

Species-specific husbandry

Sanitation and hygiene program to address animal and human health issues dedicated equipment medical management according to standard veterinary practices necropsy facilities address

zoo sanitary issues Zoonoses infection control

Potential exposure risks are higherthan in rodent models

particularly important for “cross-over” agents

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Staff must be informed about the possible routes of disease

transmission and exposure, and trained in the use of protective

equipment, medical interventions and safety procedures that are to be

used to manage the hazard

Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada

Example of Biomedical Applications: Medical Devices

Two types of devices: external: may require animal restraint and confinement internal: require on-going short and long-term assessment

strategies

Their size makes farm animals good candidates for testing medical devices, e.g.,: ventricular assist devices

(cardiovascular research) bone implants

(endosseous research) implanted cerebral stimulators

(neural research)

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Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada

Induction of anesthesia with a face mask

Medical Devices

How do in vivo medical devices impact the animal?

Animal Welfar

e

Device-patient interfaces

(e.g., communication with device)

Effect of device

(e.g., failure)

Device deployment(e.g., placement inside animal)

Performance instrumentation(e.g., collecting data)

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Medical Device Testing

Prior to in vivo, test in vitro to ensure intended use is appropriate for target species devices must be designed in the context

of intended use and the target species non-survival, anesthetized, pain-medicated

animal could be used during design refinement

The testing of medical devices requires careful attention to: potential welfare impacts special care endpoint determination

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Fully instrumented domestic swine model

Photo courtesy of the Government of Canada

Medical Device Failure & Endpoints

Protocol should include:device performance reliabilitybiocompatibilitydevice failure and repair strategies

Endpoints should:balance the scientific goals and animal welfaredetail the procedures needed to handle device failure

and malfunction

See the CCAC guidelines on: choosing an appropriate endpoint in experiments using animals for research, teaching and testing (1998) and the CCAC training module on:

pain, distress and endpoints (2010) for further information

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Summary

Farm animals are useful in some biomedical research, as long as the correct model is used

Careful consideration must be given to:balancing animal needs and achieving scientific goalsunderstanding animal welfare impacts of the specific

biomedical research conducted

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Investigators should strive to achieve their scientific goals in line with the best possible animal welfare standards