3.4.1.4 Animal environmental conditions
A. Background & Definitions
The animal microenvironment, in addition to the enclosure space refers to other factors at enclosure level, such as temperature, humidity, composition of air, illumination, noise, and vibration, all of which can impact animal well-being and therefore, research outcomes. Of particular importance is the performance of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) that must provide the appropriate environment to the species housed. The type of enclosure (e.g. IVC) may impact the decision on the HVAC established parameters at room level. As temperature is normally provided below the thermoneutral zone (the temperature range in which thermoregulation occurs without the need to increase metabolic heat production or activate evaporative heat loss mechanisms), provision of resources for thermoregulation is important
B. Guidance & Expectations
The following topics must be controlled and recorded:
- Air changes/hour in room and individually ventilated cages (IVC)
- Ranges of air temperature by species
- Possibilities for thermoregulation at cage level
- Ranges of relative humidity by species
- Light source, intensity and cycle
PLEASE DO NOT FORGET
- To take in account if IVC is connected to room ventilation, to adjust room HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) parameters
- To coordinate thermoregulation resources with environmental enrichment program (see section # 3)
- To avoid direct exposure of light to albino animals in cages in upper shelves
- To avoid having nearby sources of noise and vibration
C. Resources
Template to describe information related to animal care and use (all items covered by Section 3.4.1) - 3.4.1 Animal care and use.docx
ARRIVE guidelines 2019 for reporting animal research
Online and other available guidance:
- Annex III of Directive 2010/63/EU. [1]
- Appendix A of European Convention ETS 123. [2]
- Chapter 3 of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, NRC 2011. [3]
- Housing and Husbandry [4]
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