Guidelines for health and welfare monitoring of fish used in research

Johansen, Renate; Needham, J. R.; Colquhoun, Duncan J.; Poppe, Trygve T.; Smith, A. J.

doi:10.1258/002367706778476451

Cited by 97 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Concomitant to these academic discussions, guidelines for the proper treatment of fish have been developed (FSBI 2002, Johansen et al 2006); however, a clear concept of fish welfare and a methodological means to assess this internal state are still controversial.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the concept of fish welfare

Volpato¹,

Gonçalves-de-Freitas²,

Fernandes-de-Castilho³

2007

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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Fish welfare issues are predicated on understanding whether fish are sentient beings. Therefore, we analyzed the logic of the methodologies used for studying this attribute. We conclude that empirical science is unable to prove or to disprove that fish are sentient beings. Thus, we propose a combined ethical-scientific approach for considering fish as sentient beings. The most difficult ongoing question is to determine which conditions fish prefer. Approaches to assess fish preferences should be rigorously and cautiously employed. In light of these considerations, attempts to establish physiological standards for fish welfare are discouraged, and a preference-based definition of fish welfare is proposed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights into the concept of fish welfare

Volpato¹,

Gonçalves-de-Freitas²,

Fernandes-de-Castilho³

2007

Dis. Aquat. Org.

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“…Research results may also be irreproducible or invalid due to presence of infections. 10 We propose that the risk of not performing routine health monitoring is much greater than the cost of implementing a program.…”

Section: Costmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A standardized reporting format (as described subsequently) will allow facilities to quickly and easily determine the risk to their facility from imported fish, to take measures to mitigate that risk, and to ensure that results achieved from research performed is free of uncontrolled variables. 10 …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for Health Monitoring and Reporting for Zebrafish Research Facilities

2016

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The presence of subclinical infection or clinical disease in laboratory zebrafish may have a significant impact on research results, animal health and welfare, and transfer of animals between institutions. As use of zebrafish as a model of disease increases, a harmonized method for monitoring and reporting the health status of animals will facilitate the transfer of animals, allow institutions to exclude diseases that may negatively impact their research programs, and improve animal health and welfare. All zebrafish facilities should implement a health monitoring program. In this study, we review important aspects of a health monitoring program, including choice of agents, samples for testing, available testing methodologies, housing and husbandry, cost, test subjects, and a harmonized method for reporting results. Facilities may use these recommendations to implement their own health monitoring program.

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“…For example, infection can have either a positive or a negative impact on a trial. 1 Even subclinical infections have been pointed out to potentially confound research results. 2 As a consequence, during the 1980s, bioexclusion protocols have been developed and specific pathogen-free (SPF) animals have been bred (or requested to suppliers) to eradicate infectious diseases in animal facilities.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Using amphibians in laboratory studies: precautions against the emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis

et al. 2011

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The African clawed frog Xenopus laevis is by far the most widely used amphibian species in laboratories. In the wild, X. laevis is an asymptomatic carrier of an emerging infectious disease called chytridiomycosis. The vector is the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which has devastating effects on wild amphibian populations around the world. The impact of Bd on the metabolism of X. laevis has not been comprehended yet. However, even if asymptomatic, an infection is likely to affect the individual's physiology, immunology, development, reproduction and overall response to stress from a purely medical point of view, which will introduce noise and therefore increase variance within experimental groups of X. laevis. This could have implications on the scientific results from studies using this species. Here, we review the current knowledge on treatments of infected amphibians and propose a hygiene protocol adapted to laboratory populations and amphibian husbandry. Following the presented sanitation guidelines could further prevent the spread of Bd and probably of other amphibian pathogens. The sanitation guidelines will help to reduce the impact of amphibian husbandry on natural populations and must be considered a crucial contribution to amphibian conservation, as today 32% of all amphibians are considered threatened.

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Guidelines for health and welfare monitoring of fish used in research

Cited by 97 publications

References 53 publications

Insights into the concept of fish welfare

Insights into the concept of fish welfare

Recommendations for Health Monitoring and Reporting for Zebrafish Research Facilities

Using amphibians in laboratory studies: precautions against the emerging infectious disease chytridiomycosis

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