W6 LAB ANIMAL

1. Temperature:

thermoneutral zone TNZ 4.4 (huddling together & ruffling feathers) to 29.4C (hold wings away from body & decrease feed intake)

mice 26-34C, rats 26-30C, neonates higher lower critical temperature

2. Humidity: 30 to 70%

mice increase preweaning mortality

rats if low ringtail (ischemic necrosis of tail)

3. Ventilation:

air quality

supply adequate O2

remove thermal loads (caused by animal respiration, lights, equipment)

dilute gaseous (ammonia, CO2)

filter out contaminants

adjust moisture content

10-15 fresh air changes per h

depend on heat loads, species, size & no of animals, type of primary enclosures & bedding, room dimensions, efficiency of air distribution

HVAC: heating, ventilation, air con -exhaust air recycled -cross contamination

IVC: individual ventilated cage -poly sulfone

HEPA: high efficiency particle air filtered

4. Illumination

factors to consider: light intensity & wavelength, duration of animal's current & prior exposure to light, animal's pigmentation, circadian rhythm, body temp, hormonal status, age, species, sex, strain

130-325 Lux/400Lux (30-37 ft candles) 1m (3.3ft) above the floor 

diurnal 12h light cycle 

5. Noise and vibration

facility design & operation

noise control

separate human and animal areas minimize disturbance 

6. Husbandry

food

water

bedding

sanitation

bedding change

cleaning & disinfections of primary & secondary enclosures

waste disposal

pest control

emergency, weekend & holiday care

7. Enrichment 

non social: 

Structural modifications

1 day old chick provided artificial turfs in brooders

feed scattered on turf

allow display natural foraging behavior

rodents provided hiding places 

PVC tube/commercially available huts/old cage (modified as hut)/empty cardboard feed barrels 

decrease animal aggression

canine -human interaction

primates -Boomer link Rings, Baby rattles

Allowing control

nesting materials & shelter offer hiding areas 

alleviate social tension

shepherd specialty papers, pipette box, corn cord

social: pair/grp housing