PREPARE

​A. Background

Reproducible science requires careful planning, to consider all the factors which may introduce variability in the recorded data. In the case of in vivo studies, this should be done in close collaboration with the animal care staff. The PREPARE guidelines were developed over a 30-year period, based upon the authors' experiences in planning and supervising animal research, and managing accredited animal facilities.

PREPARE consists of a 2-page checklist, in over 20 languages, of 15 main topics. The topics cover the three broad areas which determine the quality of the preparation for animal studies:

1. Formulation of the study 2. Dialogue between scientists and the animal facility 3. Quality control of the components in the study

The checklist is supported by a comprehensive website, with sections for each topic, where more information is provided, including links to quality guidelines from around the world, and key scientific papers on the subject. The website is updated continuously.

The PREPARE guidelines focus not only on those parameters which can influence the robustness and validity of the data from an experiment, but also on ways in which animal welfare can be optimised. In addition to our ethical and legal obligations to minimise animal suffering, this is also in the interests of science, because baseline data from animals living in harmony with their surroundings will be more reliable than if they are stressed. The PREPARE checklist can be adapted to meet special needs, such as field studies.

The PREPARE planning guidelines are complementary to reporting guidelines such as ARRIVE and GSPC. They are a dynamic set which will evolve as more species- and situation-specific guidelines are produced, and as best practice within Laboratory Animal Science progresses.

​B. The PREPARE checklist

1. Literature searches	​Form a clear hypothesis, with primary and secondary outcomes. Consider the use of systematic reviews. Decide upon databases and information specialists to be consulted, and construct search terms. Assess the relevance of the species to be used, its biology and suitability to answer the experimental questions with the least suffering, and its welfare needs. Assess the reproducibility and translatability of the project.
2. Legal issues	Consider how the research is affected by relevant legislation for animal research and other areas, e.g. animal transport, occupational health and safety. Locate relevant guidance documents (e.g. EU guidance on project evaluation).
​3. Ethical issues, Harm-Benefit Assessment and humane endpoints	​Construct a lay summary. In dialogue with ethics committees, consider whether statements about this type of research have already been produced. Address the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) and the 3Ss (Good Science, Good Sense, Good Sensibilities). Consider pre-registration and the publication of negative results. Perform a Harm-Benefit Assessment and justify any likely animal harm. Discuss the learning objectives, if the animal use is for educational or training purposes. Allocate a severity classification to the project. Define objective, easily measurable and unequivocal humane endpoints. Discuss the justification, if any, for death as an end-point.
4. Experimental design and statistical analysis	Consider pilot studies, statistical power and significance levels. Define the experimental unit and decide upon animal numbers. Choose methods of randomisation, prevent observer bias, and decide upon inclusion and exclusion criteria.
5. Objectives and timescale, funding and division of labour	Arrange meetings with all relevant staff when early plans for the project exist. Construct an approximate timescale for the project, indicating the need for assistance with preparation, animal care, procedures and waste disposal/decontamination. Discuss and disclose all expected and potential costs. Construct a detailed plan for division of labour and expenses at all stages of the study.
6. Facility Evaluation	​Conduct a physical inspection of the facilities, to evaluate building and equipment standards and needs. Discuss staffing levels at times of extra risk.
7. Education and training	Assess the current competence of staff members and the need for further education or training prior to the study.
8. Health risks, waste disposal and decontamination	Perform a risk assessment, in collaboration with the animal facility, for all persons and animals affected directly or indirectly by the study. Assess, and if necessary produce, specific guidance for all stages of the project. Discuss means for containment, decontamination, and disposal of all items in the study.
9. Test substances and procedures	Provide as much information as possible about test substances. Consider the feasibility and validity of test procedures and the skills needed to perform them.
10. Experimental animals	Decide upon the characteristics of the animals that are essential for the study and for reporting. Avoid generation of surplus animals.
11. Quarantine and health monitoring	Discuss the animals’ likely health status, any needs for transport, quarantine and isolation, health monitoring and consequences for the personnel.
12. Housing and husbandry	Attend to the animals’ specific instincts and needs, in collaboration with expert staff. Discuss acclimation, optimal housing conditions and procedures, environmental factors and any experimental limitations on these (e.g. food deprivation, solitary housing).
13. Experimental procedures	Develop refined procedures for capture, immobilisation, marking, and release or re-homing. Develop refined procedures for substance administration, sampling, sedation and anaesthesia, surgery and other techniques.
14. Humane killing, release, re-use or re-homing	Consult relevant legislation and guidelines well in advance of the study. Define primary and emergency methods for humane killing. Assess the competence of those who may have to perform these tasks.
15. Necropsy	Construct a systematic plan for all stages of necropsy, including location, and identification of all animals and samples.

Legislation in many countries, including EU Member States, has adopted the "Three Rs" principle: Replacement, Reduction, Refinement. Efforts must therefore be made, when planning any study which appears to involve animals or animal material, to replace their use by non-animal methods, or if this is impossible, reduce animal use to a minimum and refine the procedures to minimise pain and suffering. A 3-step approach to such studies is therefore:

1. Use the PREPARE guidelines from day 1 of planning, collaborating closely with the animal facility if the use of animals is unavoidable 2. Use reporting guidelines such as ARRIVE to ensure the quality of the manuscript to be submitted 3. Highlight any advances in the three Rs made during the study in the manuscript. This should be done in the title and/or abstract, since many databases only index these parts of the paper.

C. Resources

Information on this and related pages is based on or copied directly from the PREPARE guidelines:

Smith, AJ, Clutton, RE, Lilley, E, Hansen KEAa, Brattelid, T. (2018): PREPARE: Guidelines for planning animal research and testing. Laboratory Animals, 52(2): 135-141. DOI: 10.1177/0023677217724823 [1]

---

back to Toolbox

The guidelines can be accessed HERE.