Current Requirements for and Approaches to Dosing in Animal Studies

Abstract

Today, within the context of harmonisation of requirements in the international pharmaceutical market, there is a trend towards development of common standards, including in the field of preclinical studies. The reliability and reproducibility of experimental data obtained in various laboratories using animals cannot be guaranteed unless the 3Rs principles are observed (the principles of humane experimental technique) to ensure the welfare of animals. The present paper analyses Russian and foreign recommendations on different administration routes and administered volumes as applied to mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits – the most frequently used laboratory animals. The paper systematises literature data on oral/intragastric, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous and intraperitoneal routes of administration. It assesses potential complications of each route of administration, and negative effects on both health and well-being of laboratory animals, as well as on the results of experiments. The paper also touches upon some anatomical and physiological characteristics of laboratory animals, potential opportunities for feed and water deprivation, ways of reducing pain in animals. The results of comparison of administered volumes helped to determine optimal recommended and maximum administered volumes.

Modulation of the Functional State of Mouse Neutrophils by Selenium Nanoparticles In Vivo

“…When the test solutions are administered subcutaneously, the animal does not irritate the central and peripheral osmoreceptors or experience reflex excitation of the drinking center. In other words, there is no thirst, which usually contributes to experiments with oral administration of drugs [ 50 ]. Intravenous and intraperitoneal administrations are often considered equivalent in rodents.…”

“…Important disadvantages during intraperitoneal injection are: a high probability of damage or perforation of internal organs and pain and discomfort in the animal. With prolonged (repeated) use of this method, the drug may accumulate in the abdominal cavity (between the parietal and visceral layers of the peritoneum, on the serous covers of internal organs), abscesses may form, fibrin deposits or drug residues may accumulate on the internal organs, and there is a risk of peritonitis [ 50 ]. Two routes of administration of SeNPs, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal, were chosen.…”

General Histological Characteristics of Lymphoid Nodules of Peyer’s Patches of the Small Intestine in Albino Rats After Administration of a Broad-Spectrum Antibiotic

“…Upon the experiment and after vivisection, which was carried out by an overdose of thiopental anesthesia (75 mg/kg of animal body weight intramuscularly in the upper third of the thigh of the hind paw) [10,12] in compliance with the procedure and requirements for conduct of experiments on animals, the abdominal cavity was dissected with subsequent washing of its entire content with saline and embedment of whole carcasses into 10% formalin solution. After washing in the running water, the rodents' gastrointestinal tract was examined and sections of the small intestine, containing Peyer's patches, were selectively excised in its proximal, medial and distal parts.…”

Magnetic Hyperthermia Nanoarchitectonics via Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Stabilised by Oleic Acid: Anti-Tumour Efficiency and Safety Evaluation in Animals with Transplanted Carcinoma

“…When administered intramuscularly, the substance was injected once into the anterior and posterior muscle groups of both thighs (0.5 mL per limb) [58,59]. The study was carried out using the maximum possible volume with an intramuscular injection, which is 1 mL per mouse.…”