MAINTENANCE

OF
LABORATORY
ANIMALS
Department of Pharmacology
Sree Siddaganga college of Pharmacy
Tumkur-572 102
Karnataka
 Proper management of animal facilities is
essential to the welfare of animals, validity of
research data, and health and safety of the
animal care staff.

A good husbandary program provides a

system of housing and care that permits
animals to grow, mature , reproduce , and
maintain good health.
housing
 It should
 provide space that is adequate;
 provide a comfortable environment;

 provide an escape proof enclosure

that confines animals safely;

 provide easy access to food and

water;

 provide adequate ventilation;

 keep the animals dry and clean,

 the housing should be constructed
of sturdy, durable materials and
designed to minimize cross
infection between adjoining units.

attention must be given to

eliminating sharp edges and
broken wires, keeping cage
in good condition.
 Social environment
 The social environment includes all interactions among
individuals of a group or among those able to
communicate.

 Population density can affect reproduction, metabolism,

immune responses and behavior.

 should enrich the environment as appropriate to the

species, especially when animals will be held for long
periods.
 SPACE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
LABORATORY ANIMALS
Animal Weight (grams) Floor area/animal Height
(inches) (inches)

Mice <10 6.0 5

10-15 8.0 5
15-25 12.0 5
>25 15.0 5

Rats <100 17.0 7

100-200 23.0 7
200-300 29.0 7
300-400 40.0 7
400-500 60.0 7
>500 70.0 7
Animal Weight (grams) Floor area/animal Height
(inch2) (inches)

Hamsters <60 10.0 6

60-80 13.0 6
80-100 16.0 6
>100 19.0 6

Guinea pig ≤350 60.0 7

>350 101.0 7
 Animal Weight (kg) Floor area/animal Height
(ft2) (inches)
Rabbits <2 1.5 14
2-4 3.0 14
4-5.4 4.0 14
>5.4 5.0 14

Cats ≤4 3.0 24
>4 4.0 24

Dogs <15 8.0

15-30 12.1
>30 24.0
Activity
 Provision should be made
for animals with specialized
locomotor pattern to express
these patterns, especially when
the animals are held for long
periods.
e.g.,ropes, bars, and
perches are appropriate for
branching non-human
primates.
 Animal environment

Micro-environment: The physical environment

immediately surrounding it, for example, temperature
and humidity in the cage or primary enclosure.

Macro-environment: The physical conditions in the

room or secondary enclosure constitute the
macroenvironment.
 Temperature, humidity and concentrations of gases
such as carbon dioxide and ammonia are higher in
cages (unless they are individually ventilated) than in
the surrounding room.
 Temperature & Humidity
Temperature and humidity affect metabolism and
behavior.
 Air conditioning is an effective means of regulating
these environmental parameters for laboratory
animals.
Animal Relative Dry bulb temperature (0C)
humidity(%)
Mouse, Rat, Hamster, 40-70 18-26
Guinea pig
Rabbit 40-60 16-21
Cat, Dog, Non-human
primates 30-70 18-29
 Ventilation
 The purpose of ventilation is
• to supply adequate oxygen;
• remove thermal loads caused by animal respiration,
• lights and equipment;
• dilute gaseous and particulate contaminants;

 16-20 fresh air changes/hour appears to provide adequate

ventilation for animal facilities.

 Ventilation also provides an odor free environment.

 Illumination
 Light can affect the physiology and behavior of
various animals.
 Lighting should be uniformly diffused throughout
animals facilities and provide sufficient illumination.
 Fluorescent tube lights fixed in such a way facilitate
uniform distribution of light.
 Light intensity of 350-400 lux one metre above the
floor level is ideal.
 Noise
 Separation of human from animal areas is the best way
to minimize disturbances.

 Continuous exposure to acoustical levels above 85 dB

can have both auditory and nonauditory effects,
including
 eosinopenia and increased adrenal weights in rodents,
 reduced fertility in rodents and
 increased blood pressure in nonhuman primates.
 ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR
LABORATORY ANIMALS
Temperature : 25°C± 2°C throughout the year
Humidity : 45-55% throughout the year
Ventilation : 16-20 fresh air changes/hour

Light-dark circles : 12 hours light and 12 hours darkor 14 hours

light and 10 hours dark.

Light-intensity : 300-400 lux one metre above the floor level

Light source : Fluorescent tube lights fixed in such a way to

facilitate uniform distribution of light.

Noise level : Should be less than 65 decibels (should

avoid all high frequency sound)
food
 Animals should be fed
palatable, non-contaminated,
and nutritionally adequate
food daily unless the
experimental protocol
requires otherwise.

Diet should be free from

heavy metals (e.g., lead,
arsenic, cadmium, nickel,
mercury), naturally occurring
toxins , microbial ,chemical
and other contaminants.
 Laboratory animal feed
Diet Composition for Rodents (Rats, Mice
& Hamsters)
Wheat flour 22.5%
Roasted Bengal gram flour 60.0%
Skim milk powder 5.0%
Casein 4.0%
Refined groundnut oil 4.0%
Salt mixture 4.0%
Vitamin mixture 0.5%

Diet Composition for Monkeys, Rabbit &

Scale of Diet Guinea pigs
Rat 15-20 g/day Wheat flour 61.3%
Mouse 5 g/day Roasted Bengal gram 28.2%
Hamster 15 g/day Casein 1.0%
Monkey 150 g/day Refined groundnut oil 5.0%
Salt mixture 4.0%
Rabbit 50-100 g/day Vitamin mixture 0.5%
Guinea pig 25 g/day Vitamin C 50mg/100g diet
Bedding  Bedding should be
absorbent, free of toxic
chemicals or other
substances that could injure
animals or personnel, and of
a type not readily eaten by
animals.
 Bedding should be removed
and replaced with fresh
materials as often as
necessary to keep the
animals clean and dry.
Sanitation &cleanliness
 Animal rooms, corridors, storage
spaces, and other areas should be
cleaned with appropriate detergents
and disinfectants as often as
necessary to keep them free of dirt,
debris , and harmful contamination.
 Wastes should be removed regularly
and frequently.
 All waste should be collected and
disposed of in a safe and sanitary
manner.
  Prevent infestation by pests such as
cockroaches, flies and wild or escaped
rodents.
 Improper use of pesticides can induce
toxic effects in research animals and
interfere with the experimental
procedures.

Hazardous wastes should be

rendered safe by sterilization
or other appropriate means
before they are removed from
an animal facility for disposal.
 Record keeping
The animal house should maintain the following records:
 Animal house plans, which includes typical floor plan, all fixtures
etc.
 Animal house staff record-both technical and non -technical
 Health record of staff / animals
 All SOPs relevant to the animals
 Breeding, stock, purchase and sales records
 Minutes of institute Animals Ethics Committee Meetings
 Records of experiments conducted with the number of animals used
(copy of Form D)
 Death Record
 Clinical record of sick animals
 Training record of staff involved in animal activities
 Water analysis report.
Reference:
 Guide for care and use of lab animals-
U.S.Dept of health and human services.
(National Institute of Health)
 Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2003;
35: 257-274 (CPSCEA guidelines)
 ICMR Bulletin, April 2004; Vol.34,
No.4:22-28