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Keywords = FELASA recommendations

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12 pages, 1094 KB  
Article
Non-Invasive Analyses of Altered Schaedler Flora in C57Bl/6J and Balb/c Mice to Monitor Hygiene Status of a Housing Facility
by Rebecca Nistelberger, Patrizia Gibler, Lisa Barones, Arno Absenger, Julia B. Kral-Pointner, Manuel Salzmann, Boris Hartmann, Bruno K. Podesser, Phillip J. Hohensinner and Roberto Plasenzotti
Animals 2025, 15(12), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15121725 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 913
Abstract
The composition of the gut microbiome, defined by environmental factors, significantly affects research outcomes, with variations observed across animal facilities. Efforts to standardize led to the definition of the ‘Altered Schaedler flora’ (ASF), comprising eight bacterial groups. Our data highlights the variability of [...] Read more.
The composition of the gut microbiome, defined by environmental factors, significantly affects research outcomes, with variations observed across animal facilities. Efforts to standardize led to the definition of the ‘Altered Schaedler flora’ (ASF), comprising eight bacterial groups. Our data highlights the variability of ASF under pathogen contact. Feces from two wild-type strains (C57Bl/6J and Balb/c mice) with and without proven infection was collected in two different animal facilities and analyzed. The data show a significant difference in the quantity (either reduction or increase) of the eight ASF bacterial groups when comparing infected and non-infected mice across different housing areas (SPF-specific pathogen-free, quarantine, and conventional-experimental areas) within a facility, as well as in comparison to another facility. Furthermore, strain-specific differences are also evident, with certain ASF groups showing a reduction in quantity at one facility but an increase at the other, comparing the same housing area. Comparative studies across facilities confirmed the necessity of baseline determination for accurate ASF analysis. Performing ASF analysis, facilitated by in-house qPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction) kits, offers prompt and precise microbiome profiling, enhancing experimental accuracy and health monitoring in animal research settings. Full article
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16 pages, 933 KB  
Article
Rehoming and Other Refinements and Replacement in Procedures Using Golden Hamsters in SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Research
by Malan Štrbenc, Urška Kuhar, Duško Lainšček, Sara Orehek, Brigita Slavec, Uroš Krapež, Tadej Malovrh and Gregor Majdič
Animals 2023, 13(16), 2616; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162616 - 14 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2290
Abstract
Effective vaccines are needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty golden hamsters were inoculated with two promising vaccine candidates and eighteen animals were used in pilot trials with viral challenge. ELISA assays were performed to determine endpoint serum titres for specific antibodies and [...] Read more.
Effective vaccines are needed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty golden hamsters were inoculated with two promising vaccine candidates and eighteen animals were used in pilot trials with viral challenge. ELISA assays were performed to determine endpoint serum titres for specific antibodies and virus neutralisation tests were used to evaluate the efficacy of antibodies. All tests with serum from vaccinated hamsters were negative even after booster vaccinations and changes in vaccination protocol. We concluded that antibodies did not have sufficient neutralising properties. Refinements were observed at all steps, and the in vitro method (virus neutralisation test) presented a replacement measure and ultimately lead to a reduction in the total number of animals used in the project. The institutional animal welfare officer and institutional designated veterinarian approved the reuse or rehoming of the surplus animals. Simple socialization procedures were performed and ultimately 19 animals were rehomed, and feedback was collected. Recently, FELASA published recommendations for rehoming of animals used for scientific and educational purposes, with species-specific guidelines, including mice, rats, and rabbits. Based on our positive experience and feedback from adopters, we concluded that the rehoming of rodents, including hamsters, is not only possible, but highly recommended. Full article
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