Committee For The Purpose Of Control and Supervision of
Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA guidelines)
Goals:
To promote the humane care of animals used in biomedical and behavioral
research and testing.
To provide quality in gaining advanced biological knowledge that is relevant
to humans and animals
To provide specifications that will enhance animal well being.
1. VETERINARY CARE:
Adequate veterinary care must be provided and is the responsibility of a
veterinarian.
Daily observation.
2. ANIMAL PROCUREMENT:
All animals must be acquired lawfully as per the CPCSEA guidelines.
A health surveillance program for incoming animals should be carried out to
assess animal quality.
Inspect for compliance with procurement specifications.
3. QUARANTINE:
An effective quarantine minimizes the chance for introduction of pathogens
into an established colony.
A minimum duration of quarantine
Small lab animals - 1 week
Larger animals - 6 weeks
4. STABILIZATION AND SEPARATION
Newly received animals should be given a period for physiological,
psychological and nutritional stabilization before their use.
Duration for stabilization will depend on the type of animal, transportation
and intended use.
Physical separation of animals by species is recommended.
5. SURVEILLANCE, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF
DISEASE
Observe for signs of illness, injury, or abnormal behavior.
Unexpected deaths and signs of illness should be reported. If animals are
known to be exposed to an infectious agent the group should be kept intact
and isolated during the process of diagnosis, treatment, and control.
Diagnostic clinical laboratory may be made available.
6. ANIMAL CARE AND TECHNICAL PERSONNEL:
Employ people trained in laboratory animal science.
They should be providing for both formal and on-the-job training.
7. PERSONAL HYGIENE:
It is essential to maintain a high standard of personal cleanliness.
Decontaminate clothing exposed to potentially hazardous microbial agents
or toxic substances.
Use disposable gear.
No permission to eat, drink, smoke or apply cosmetics in animal rooms.
8. ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION INVOLVING HAZARDOUS AGENTS:
Institutional Biosafety Committee.
The procedures must be reviewed by both the Institutional Biosafety
committee and Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC).
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC) is to be constituted in all centers
engaged in genetic engineering research and production activities.
9. MULTIPLE SURGICAL PROCEDURES ON SINGLE ANIMAL:
Multiple surgical procedures not to be practiced unless specified in a
protocol only approved by the IAEC.
10. DURATIONS OF EXPERIMENTS:
No animal should be used for experimentation for more than 3 years unless
adequate justification is provided.
11. PHYSICAL RESTRAINT:
Brief physical restraint can be accomplished manually or with devices.
Prolonged restraint of any animal should be avoided unless essential to
research objectives.
Less restrictive systems, such as the tether system or the pole and collar
system should be used when compatible with research objectives.
The following are important guidelines for the use of restraint
equipments:
Not be used simply as a convenience in handling or managing animals.
Should be given training to adapt to the equipment.
Observe the animal at appropriate intervals.
Veterinary care should be provided if lesions or illness associated with
restraint are observed.
12. PHYSICAL PLANT:
The physical condition and design of animal facility should be well planned
and properly maintained.
PHYSICAL RELATIONSHIP OF ANIMAL FACILITIES TO LABORATORY
Isolated far away from human habitation.
Place animal housing areas adjacent to or near laboratories but separated
13. FUNCTIONAL AREAS
Sufficient animal area required to:
Ensure separation of species or isolation of individual projects when
necessary;
• Receive, quarantine, and isolate animals;
• Provide for animal housing.
14. PHYSICAL FACILITIES:
1. Building material
2. Animal room doors
3. Floors
4. Drains
5. Storage areas
6. Experimental area
7. Corridor
8. Exterior windows
BUILDING MATERIALS:
Moisture-proof, fire-resistant, seamless materials are most desirable for interior
surfaces including vermin and pest resistance.
CORRIDOR:
Wide enough to facilitate the movement of personnel as well as equipments
and should be kept clean.
UTILITIES:
Water lines, drain pipes and electrical connection
ANIMAL ROOM DOORS:
Rust, vermin and dust proof it properly within their frames and provided with
observation
FLOORS:
Smooth, moisture proof, non-absorbent, skid-proof.
DRAINS:
Floor drains are not essential in all rooms used exclusively for housing rodents.
WALLS & CEILINGS:
Free of cracks, unsealed utility penetrations, or imperfect junction with doors,
ceilings, floors and corners.
STORAGE AREAS:
Separate storage areas should be designed for feed, bedding, cages and
materials not in use.
FACILITIES FOR SANITIZING EQUIPMET AND SUPPLIES:
An area for sanitizing cages and ancillary equipment is essential with adequate
water supply.
EXPERIMENTAL AREA:
Should be carried out in a separate area from the place where animals are
housed.
15. ENVIRONMENT
AIR CONDITIONING:
It is for laboratory animals. Temperature within the range of 180- 290oc.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY:
30-70% throughout the year for large animal comfortable zone-18-37°˚c.
POWER & LIGHTING:
The electrical system should be safe and provide appropriate lighting and a
sufficient no. of power outlets.
A time control light system should be used.
NOISE CONTROL:
Noise free environment.
16. ANIMAL HUSBANDARY:
CAGING & HOUSING SYSTEM-
Adequate ventilation
Meet the biological need of animal
Keep the animal dry and clean
Cages made of steel or painted steel
Feeding and watering devices should be easily accessible for filing,
changing, cleaning and servicing.
17. FOOD:
Should be fed palatable, non-contaminated and nutritionally adequate food.
Diet should be free from heavy metals.
18. BEDDING:
Absorbent, free of toxic chemicals or other substances that could injure
animals or personnel
Should be removed and replaced with fresh materials as often as necessary
to keep animal clean and dry.
19. WATER:
Ordinarily animals should have continuous access to fresh, potable.
Contaminated drinking water, according to their particular requirements.
20. SANITATION CLEANLIES:
Sanitation is essential in an animal facility. Animal rooms, corridors,
storage spaces, and other areas should be cleaned with appropriate
detergents and disinfectant.
21. WASTE DISPOSAL:
Wastes should be removed regularly and frequently. All waste should be
collected and disposed in a -safe and sanitary manner. The most preferred
method of waste disposal is incineration.
22. EMERGENCY, WEEKEND AND HOLIDAY CARE:
Animal should be cared for by qualified personnel every day, including
weekends and holidays, to safeguards their well- being including emergency
veterinary care.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPs):
The Institute shall maintain SOPs describing procedures /methods of:
• Animal Husbandry
• Maintenance
• Breeding
• Animal house microbial analysis
• Experimentation records.
23. TRANSPORT OF LABORATORY ANIMALS:
The main considerations for transport of animals are:
• Mode of transport
• Containers
• Animal density in cages
• Food and water during transit
• Protection from transit infections
• Injuries and stress
24. ANAESTHESIA:
It must also be ensured that the anesthesia is given for the full duration of
experiment and at no stage the animal is conscious to perceive pain during
the experiment.
Sedatives, analgesics and anesthetics should be used to control pain or
distress under experiment.
25. EUTHANASIA: (Eu =good: Thanatos =death)
PURPOSE
End of experiment, to provide tissue for scientific purpose.
Free the animal of pain.
Diseased animal or animal in bad condition.
a. Death, without causing anxiety, pain or distress with minimum time lag
phase.
b. Minimum physiological and psychological disturbances.
c. Compatibility with the purpose of study and minimum emotional effect on
the operator.
d. Location should be separate from animal rooms and free from
environmental contaminants.
