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Survey on Sheep Usage in Biomedical Research
Corina Mihaela Berset1,2, Urban Lanker1, Stephan Zeiter1
1AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, CH-7270 Davos, Switzerland.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|September 3, 2020
Summary
Researchers need better methods for selecting sheep in biomedical studies. Improving animal health monitoring and supplier criteria can refine research practices and reduce animal use.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary medicine
- Animal research
- Biomedical sciences
Background:
- Limited information exists on sheep utilized in biomedical research.
- A European survey was conducted to address this knowledge gap.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather data on current practices and challenges in using sheep for research.
- To identify areas for improvement in animal selection and welfare.
- To inform strategies for refining and reducing animal use in experiments.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to sheep users across Europe.
- Data collected focused on animal selection criteria and practical issues encountered.
- Respondents included veterinarians and researchers from academic institutions.
Main Results:
- Most respondents were veterinarians (77.4%) with extensive experience.
- Female sheep (79.8%) were predominantly used for surgical procedures and device testing.
- Key supplier criteria included health status, availability, trust, and uniformity.
- Many users (60%) faced non-protocol-related issues with sheep; nearly half lacked health monitoring.
Conclusions:
- There is a clear need to refine the selection process for sheep in biomedical research.
- Prioritizing animal health status is a crucial starting point for improvement.
- Enhanced health monitoring programs are essential for better research outcomes.
