Excerpt

Due to both the paucity of information and the lack of a clear, widely accepted definition for distress, the scientific community using animals in research, including investigators, veterinarians, animal care staff, and animal care and use committees, has not had reliable guidance in recognizing, assessing, or alleviating distress. Because minimization or elimination of distress experienced by laboratory animals is not only a regulatory requirement but also a moral obligation, it is imperative to attempt an evaluation of the state of the science and to translate current scientific knowledge into practical guidelines for use in laboratory animal facilities. Specifically, the Committee was tasked with preparing "a report on stress and distress [that] will review the current scientific literature regarding mechanisms of stress and distress for animal models used in biomedical research as well as the literature regarding methods for recognizing and alleviating distress. Emphasis will be placed on: the scientific understanding of causes and functions of stress and distress; determining when stress becomes distress; and identifying principles for recognition and alleviation of distress. Specific emphasis will be placed on the identification of humane endpoints in situations of distress and principles for minimizing distress in laboratory animals. While all possible scenarios cannot be included in this document, general guidelines and examples will be given to aid Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) members, investigators and animal care staff in making decisions about protocols using laboratory animals under current federal regulations and policies. Recommendations will be based on the most current scientific data where such data are available. The Committee will also identify gaps in the scientific literature where additional research data are needed."

Contents

• The National Academies
• Committee on Recognition and Alleviation of Distress in Laboratory Animals
• Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Council
• Institute for Laboratory Animal Research Publications
• Preface
• Summary
  • SCOPE OF THE STUDY
  • STRESS VERSUS DISTRESS
  • RECOGNITION AND ASSESSMENT OF STRESS AND DISTRESS
  • AVOIDING, MINIMIZING, AND ALLEVIATING DISTRESS
  • FUTURE STUDIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
  • REFERENCE
• 1. Introduction
  • REGULATIONS GOVERNING PAIN AND DISTRESS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS
  • ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT
  • REFERENCES
• 2. Stress and Distress: Definitions
  • INTRODUCTION
  • WHAT IS STRESS?
  • WHAT IS DISTRESS?
  • IMPLICATIONS FOR ANIMAL WELFARE
  • IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH
  • CONCLUSIONS
  • REFERENCES
• 3. Recognition and Assessment of Stress and Distress
  • INTRODUCTION
  • BEHAVIORAL RECOGNITION OF STRESS AND DISTRESS
  • PHYSIOLOGIC MEASURES OF STRESS AND DISTRESS
  • ASSESSMENT OF DISTRESS
  • REFERENCES
  • ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
• 4. Avoiding, Minimizing, and Alleviating Distress
  • INTRODUCTION
  • AVOIDING OR MINIMIZING DISTRESS IN LABORATORY ANIMAL CARE
  • AVOIDING OR MINIMIZING DISTRESS IN LABORATORY ANIMAL USE
  • ALLEVIATING DISTRESS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS
  • STUDYING DISTRESS
  • REFERENCES
• 5. Topics for Further Investigation and Recommendations
  • RESEARCH DIRECTIONS
  • RECOMMENDATIONS
  • REFERENCES
• Appendix Tools to Monitor and Assess Health Status and Well-Being in Stress and Distress
• About the Authors

This study was supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association; Aventis Pharmaceuticals; the Bosack-Kruger Foundation; Bristol-Myers Squibb; GlaxoSmithKline; Humane Society of the United States; Scientists Center for Animal Welfare; Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceuticals; Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health through Contract Number N01-OD-4-2139 Task Order #161.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the National Institutes of Health, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government.

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the Committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.