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Identification of Rodent Husbandry Refinement Opportunities through Benchmarking and Collaboration
Natalie A Bratcher1, Carolyn M Allen2, Craig L McLahan3
1AbbVie, North Chicago, Ilinois;,
Summary
This study benchmarks rodent husbandry practices to advance the 3Rs (refine, reduce, replace) in drug development. Findings highlight opportunities for refining animal welfare and improving scientific outcomes through collaborative industry practices.
Area of Science:
- Animal research
- Drug development
- Animal welfare
Background:
- The 3Rs (refine, reduce, replace) are crucial for ethical and scientific animal research.
- The 3Rs Translational and Predictive Sciences Leadership Group (3Rs TPS LG) aims to advance the 3Rs in pharmaceutical and healthcare product development.
- Benchmarking surveys facilitate sharing and integration of science and technology to promote the 3Rs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To benchmark current rodent husbandry practices in drug safety research across IQ Consortium member companies and Contract Research Organizations (CROs).
- To identify opportunities for refining rodent care and improving scientific validity in toxicology studies.
- To foster industry-wide collaboration for advancing the 3Rs in pharmaceutical development.
Main Methods:
- A benchmarking survey was distributed to IQ member companies and CROs in Asia, North America, and Europe.
- The survey focused on specific rodent husbandry practices including bedding, flooring, social housing, enrichment, and circadian rhythm considerations.
- Data collected were analyzed to identify trends and areas for potential alignment and refinement.
Main Results:
- Identified variations in practices related to corncob bedding, wire-grid flooring, nest management, and social housing for male mice.
- Highlighted the need for evidence-based enrichment strategies and consideration of circadian rhythms in study design.
- Revealed opportunities for alignment in husbandry practices across different geographical regions and organizations.
Conclusions:
- Benchmarking survey provides insights into current rodent husbandry trends in toxicology studies.
- Opportunities exist for refining practices in social housing, enrichment, and environmental factors like bedding and lighting.
- Collaboration among industry stakeholders is key to advancing rodent welfare and enhancing the scientific outcomes of animal research.
