An Overview of Management Considerations for Mongolian Gerbils (), Cats (), and Dogs () as Hosts for Infection.

Lymphatic filariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection affecting an estimated 51.4 million people. and are used in research because common nonprimate research species such as Mongolian gerbils (), cats (), and dogs () can maintain the life cycle of these species of filarial nematodes.

The Uterus Duplex Bicollis, Vagina Simplex of Female Chinchillas.

The available literature describing the morphology of the female chinchilla's uterine cervix varies and includes phrases such as 'the cervical canal,' 'a single cervix,' and 'the cervix;' alternatively, some publications describe 2 cervices. In this report, we provide an anatomically correct and definitive description of the uterine cervical morphology of the laboratory chinchilla. We further propose revised, anatomically precise nomenclature to characterize the female chinchilla reproductive tract as a whole.

Assessment of Blood Collection from the Lateral Saphenous Vein for Microfilaria Counts in Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) Infected with Brugia pahangi.

The NIH guidelines for survival bleeding of mice and rats note that using the retroorbital plexus has a greater potential for complications than do other methods of blood collection and that this procedure should be performed on anesthetized animals. Lateral saphenous vein puncture has a low potential for complications and can be performed without anesthesia. Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) are the preferred rodent model for filarial parasite research.

Blood collection from the orbital sinus of swine.

Swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) are increasingly used as animal models in biomedical research. Often blood samples from these animals are needed for research protocols, but phlebotomy can be difficult, especially with young swine. This column describes a relatively simple technique for blood collection that can be used specifically with young swine.

Developing an online orientation resource for users of institutional animal housing facilities.

Institutions can share information and orientation materials easily and effectively using modern media and communications technology. For this reason the Office of Animal Care and Use at the University of Georgia developed an online orientation resource for users of its animal housing facilities. Here the authors describe the resource and the planning and project management that accompanied its development.

Endotracheal intubation and oral gavage in the domestic chicken.

The domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) is increasing in popularity as a laboratory animal, as it is useful in multiple fields of biomedical research and has the practical benefits of being relatively inexpensive, easy to handle and able to adapt to various settings. Here, we describe two procedures commonly used with chickens in research: endotracheal intubation and oral gavage.

Producing timed-pregnant Mongolian gerbils for developmental studies.

The developing fetus is differentially susceptible to chemicals and pathogens depending on the stage of its development. In developmental studies, embryos or fetuses therefore must be exposed to experimental interventions at the same gestational stage. Acquiring sufficient numbers of embryos of the same developmental stage requires the use of timed-pregnant animals.

Techniques for collecting blood from the domestic chicken.

As the use of chickens in biomedical research is increasing, demand is growing for technical skills involving poultry, particularly techniques such as venipuncture. Phlebotomy (blood collection) is an important diagnostic tool for determining causes of morbidity and mortality and for collection of other research-relevant data. This column describes four standard methods of blood collection from the domestic chicken.

The effects of music on animal physiology, behavior and welfare.

Physiological and psychological effects of listening to music have been documented in humans. The changes in physiology, cognition and brain chemistry and morphology induced by music have been studied in animal models, providing evidence that music may affect animals similarly to humans. Information about the potential benefits of music to animals suggests that providing music may be used as a means of improving the welfare of laboratory animals, such as through environmental enrichment, stress relief and behavioral modification.

Unassisted blood collection from unanesthetized rats and gerbils.

Blood collection is a common procedure in animal research. This column describes humane methods of collecting blood from the rat and the gerbil that can be carried out by a single person on an awake animal.

Transtracheal aspiration and infusion in the horse.

Transtracheal access enables researchers to obtain diagnostic samples from or infuse materials into the lower respiratory tract. This column describes transtracheal aspiration and infusion of horses.

Human handling promotes compliant behavior in adult laboratory rabbits.

Routine laboratory procedures can be stressful for laboratory animals. We wanted to determine whether human handling of adult rabbits could induce a degree of habituation, reducing stress and facilitating research-related manipulation. To this end, adult New Zealand white rabbits were handled either frequently or minimally.

Laboratory reptile surgery: principles and techniques.

Reptiles used for research and instruction may require surgical procedures, including biopsy, coelomic device implantation, ovariectomy, orchidectomy, and esophogostomy tube placement, to accomplish research goals. Providing veterinary care for unanticipated clinical problems may require surgical techniques such as amputation, bone or shell fracture repair, and coeliotomy. Although many principles of surgery are common between mammals and reptiles, important differences in anatomy and physiology exist.

Using an intravenous catheter to carry out abdominal lavage in the gerbil.

Abdominal lavage is used in laboratory rodents for a variety of applications but carries an inherent risk of abdominal organ laceration; therefore, personnel carrying out this procedure must have considerable expertise. In this paper, the authors describe an improved method for delivering sterile media to and collecting peritoneal fluids from dark-clawed Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) that had been peritoneally infected with filarial nematode parasites (genus Brugia). To carry out this gravity-assisted technique, the authors used a catheter to introduce sterile media into the peritoneal cavity of each gerbil and then to passively drain peritoneal fluid and larval worms for collection.

Diversity in laboratory animal science: issues and initiatives.

Since diversity in the workplace began receiving scholarly attention in the late 1980s, many corporations and institutions have invested in programs to address and manage diversity. We encourage laboratory animal science to address the challenges and to build on the strengths that personal diversity brings to our field and workplaces. Diversity is already becoming increasingly relevant in the workplace and the laboratory animal science field.

A novel system for individually housing bullfrogs.

A researcher at the authors' institution needed to house adult bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) individually. The authors responded to this need by modifying 5-gallon plastic buckets to use for individual housing of bullfrogs. These buckets provided a simple, inexpensive housing system that successfully maintained healthy and behaviorally normal frogs.

Molar malocclusions in pine voles (Microtus pinetorum).

Here we describe 5 cases of molar malocclusions in adult pine voles (Microtus pinetorum) used for behavioral endocrinology studies. This species belongs to the subfamily Microtinae, which possess aradicular hypsodont molars. The abnormal molars identified caused apparent difficulty in mastication, resulting in poor body condition necessitating euthanasia.

IACUC issues associated with amphibian research.

Numerous species of amphibians are frequently utilized as animal models in biomedical research. Despite their relatively common occurrence as laboratory animals, the regulatory guidelines that institutional animal care and use committees (IACUCs) must employ provide little in the way of written standards for ectothermic animals. Yet, as vertebrates, laboratory amphibians are covered by the National Research Council Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy for federally funded research.