The practice of "animal experimental science" education that broaden student perspectives

入学時に動物実験に対し悪いイメージを持っている学生は少なくない。倉敷芸術科学大学生命科学部動物生命科学科では動物実験に対する正しい理解のため、医学およびバイオ分野における従来の動物実験の考え方のみならず、家庭動物を学びの対象とする動物看護分野における動物実験の考え方を取り入れることで、視点の拡大を目指す動物実験学を導入している。動物実験についての情報が少ない低学年では、「動物実験は残酷である」という部分に視点が集中し批判的な意見をもっている。しかしながら、学年が上がっていく過程で自身が動物実験を実施し、その必要性を実感する経験を繰り返すことで、動物実験を単に批判することはなくなっていく。4 年生では卒業研究における課題に科学的アプローチするために動物実験が必要な場合、多くの学生が動物実験の実施を前向きに選択するようにまでなる。学生の学びの対象に即した実験動物や動物実験の定義を教育に導入することで、動物実験への正しい理解へ繋がり、消極的容認が容認や肯定的態度へと変化していくと考えられる。When they first enroll, most university students have a negative view of animal experiments. To provide a more accurate and balanced understanding, we have introduced "animal experimental science" education that aims to broaden perspectives. In addition to conventional animal experiments in medicine and biotechnology, we have also introduced the concept of experimentation in the field of animal nursing, in which the role of the companion animal is studied. In the lower grades, students have little information and tend to assume that all animal experiments are cruel. They are therefore very critical of animal experiments. In the higher grades, students take part in animal experiments. By appreciating the need for such experiments, our students became less critical. As graduation thesis students, many students choose to undertake animal experiments, if a scientific challenge requires it. Introducing the concepts of “laboratory animals” and “animal experiments” at the right educational stage leads students to a better understanding of animal experimentation. Through this process, the students’ reluctant acceptance can be changed to acceptance with a positive attitude

Practice of the 3Rs in Practical Training Using Animals -Preliminary training for the care, handling, injection and dissection of mice and rats-

広島アニマルケア専門学校では、動物看護コース3 年課程（動物看護師志望者と実験動物技術者志望者が混 在）の3 年次に実施する実験動物学実習に際して、動物福祉の観点から動物に与える苦痛を可能な限り少なく できる実施法を模索してきた。実際に生きた動物を用いる実習を行う前に、いくつかの予備トレーニングを取 り入れた3Rs 実践の試みである。具体的には、ケージ取り扱い練習、先鋭器具取り扱い練習のための雑巾縫 製、保定練習を目的とした軟質ボールによる手指トレーニング、自身の皮膚摘まみ練習、鉛筆や鶏手羽先を用 いた注射器具使用練習、そして餃子の皮、鶏皮、鶏手羽先を用いた解剖器具使用練習などである。これらの取 り組みそれぞれが、果たして効果的であるかどうか検証できているわけではないが、学生の取り組みを間近で 観察した立場から、感覚的には効果を実感している。また、予備トレーニングは、動物に与える苦痛を軽減す ることを最大の目標とするものであるが、一方で、動物を用いた実習に臨む学生の心理的準備を促す効果もあ るように感じている。実験動物技術者や動物看護師養成課程、コースが、大学や専門学校に設けられ、そこに 多くの学生が学んでいる現在、動物を用いた実習のプログラムを動物実験倫理・動物福祉の観点からさらに洗 練させることが望まれる。そのプログラムの一部として、われわれの予備トレーニングの取り組みを紹介した。In order to improve animal welfare through practical training in laboratory animal techniques at Hiroshima Animal Care College, we have been searching for ways to reduce animal suffering caused by such practical training. Students in the Animal Management Department learn to use animals in the practicum of laboratory animal science in their third year. In order to practice the 3Rs (Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement), we have introduced preliminary training before the students work with live animals. Specifically, the following five practices are introduced: 1. Practice of handling cages 2. Practice of controlling fine manipulation by pinching elastic balls and their own skin 3. Practice of sewing a dust cloth by hand, to learn how to handle sharp instruments 4. Practice of injecting chicken wing tips to learn how to inject animals 5. Practice of dissection techniques using thin pastry, chicken skin, and chicken wing tips We have not objectively verified whether these efforts are effective to reduce animal suffering. However, subjectively, we have observed some positive effects on the students. The primary object of this training is to reduce animal suffering. Furthermore, it may promote the psychological preparation of students who will be using live laboratory animals. Currently, training courses for animal technicians and animal nurses are taught at colleges or universities. From the viewpoints of ethics and animal welfare, it is necessary to refine the practical training program to work with live animals. We report our preliminary training as part of the program

Effect of Environmental Change while Climbing Mt. Daisen on Forced Vital Capacity and Forced Expiratory Volume % in Young Women

The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of environmental change while climbing Mt. Daisen on forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume % in young women in summer. Seven healthy Japanese women (age: 22.6 ± 4.2 years) volunteered to climb Mt. Daisen (1,709m), located in Tottori prefecture, in August. Participants\u27 expiratory forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume % (FEV_%) and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO_2) were measured at 4 points (Ground: 10m, Rest point: 780m, Summit: 1,709m, Goal point: 780m). The measurements were conducted soon after the subjects\u27 arrival at each point. The degree of dyspnea sensation was measured at Ground, Rest point, Goal point and at each station. There were no significant changes in FVC. FEV_% at the summit was significantly lower than at the Ground and Rest point. No significant differences were found in SpO_2 at each measuring point. The degree of dyspnea sensation at each station soon after the subjects\u27 arrival was significantly higher than those at the Rest point. The results of this study indicated mild airway contraction induced by stresses on the respiratory system from increasing exercise intensity during an ascent of Mt. Daisen

Effect of Intramuscular Medetomidine Administration on Tear Flow in Rats

Medetomidine has been reported to decrease tear flow significantly in dogs, cats, and pigs when used as a sedative or analgesic; however, there are no such reports when it comes to rats. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of medetomidine on tear flow in rats. Medetomidine in doses of 50, 100, or 200 µg/kg or a physiological saline solution as the control, were administered intramuscularly to male Slc:Wistar/ST rats. After the administration of medetomidine, tear flow in both eyes was measured using a phenol red thread tear test. The area under the curve (AUC) of phenol red thread test values from baseline to 8 h was calculated. Data were plotted against the dose of medetomidine and simple linear regression analysis was performed. The effect of the drug on phenol red thread test values was considered dose-related when linear analysis yielded a significant relationship. In all medetomidine-treated groups, tear flow decreased significantly in both eyes after administration, while no significant changes were observed in either eye in the control group. The AUC values from baseline to 8 h after administration in groups treated with 100 and 200 µg/kg of medetomidine were significantly lower in both the left and right eyes compared to the control group. The linear regression of the AUC values was significant for both eyes. Our results indicated that the intramuscular administration of medetomidine in rats decreased tear flow significantly in a dose-dependent manner

Effects of a Multimodal Approach Using Buprenorphine with/without Meloxicam on Food Intake, Body Weight, Nest Consolidating Behavior, Burrowing Behavior, and Gastrointestinal Tissues in Postoperative Male Mice

Distress affects animal welfare and scientific data validity. There is a lack of reports on the effects of multimodal analgesic approaches in mice. In this study, under the hypothesis that a multimodal analgesic protocol using buprenorphine with meloxicam has analgesic effects, we evaluated the effects of a multimodal analgesic protocol using buprenorphine with meloxicam on the well-being of mice during analgesic administration by changing the dosage of meloxicam. A total of 42 Slc:ICR male mice were categorized into nonsurgical and surgical groups (7 mice per group) and treated with an anesthetic (isoflurane) and analgesics (buprenorphine ± meloxicam). Analgesics were administered for 48 h after treatment. Buprenorphine (subcutaneous; 0.1 mg/kg/8 h) and meloxicam (subcutaneous; 0, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg/24 h) were administered twice. Body weight, food intake, nest consolidation score, and latency to burrow were evaluated. A significant decrease in food intake was observed 24 h after treatment, while a significant increase was observed 48 h post-treatment in all groups. Body weight showed a decreasing trend but was not significantly reduced. Furthermore, stomach, duodenum, and jejunum tissues showed no morphological abnormalities. Significant differences in burrow diving scores and the latency to burrow were observed between some groups, but these were not regarded as a consequence of the surgery and/or the meloxicam dose. When buprenorphine and meloxicam were combined, administering up to 5 mg/kg/day of meloxicam for 48 h to male mice after abdominal surgery had no significant negative effects on any tested parameters. In conclusion, a multimodal analgesic protocol of buprenorphine with meloxicam is among the options for increasing well-being in mice following abdominal surgery

Effect of Different Doses of Atipamezole on Reversal of Medetomidine-Induced Tear-Flow Decrease in Rats

It has been reported that α2-adrenoceptor agonists such as medetomidine decrease tear flow in many species, including rats. Few studies have investigated the involvement of α2-adrenoceptor in decreased tear flow; the issue has not been illustrated sufficiently. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effect of different doses of atipamezole on the reversal of medetomidine-induced tear-flow decrease to reveal the specific involvement of α2-adrenoceptor. Treatment with 400, 800, or 1600 µg/kg atipamezole (or saline as the control) was intramuscularly administered to rats 15 min following intramuscular administration of 200 µg/kg medetomidine. After medetomidine administration, tear flow was measured using a phenol red thread test (PRTT). PRTT values decreased significantly after 200 µg/kg medetomidine administration. The PRTT values after 800 (optimal dose to reverse) and 1600 µg/kg atipamezole administration reached baseline, but never exceeded it significantly. Treatment with 400 µg/kg atipamezole also reversed the decrease in PRTT value but the PRTT remained lower than baseline. The optimal dose and the higher dose of atipamezole fully reversed the medetomidine-induced decrease in tear flow to the baseline level in rats, while the lower dose of atipamezole partially recovered tear flow

Effects of Multimodal Analgesic Protocol, with Buprenorphine and Meloxicam, on Mice Well-Being: A Dose Finding Study

The anesthetic or analgesic agent of choice, route and frequency of anesthetic or analgesic administration, and stressors induce distress during the perioperative period. We evaluated a multimodal analgesic protocol using buprenorphine and meloxicam on the well-being of mice. Twenty-four Slc:ICR male mice were divided into control, anesthesia + analgesia, and surgery + anesthesia + analgesia groups. Tap water (orally: PO) and water for injection (subcutaneous: SC) were administered to the control group. Buprenorphine was administered twice (SC, 0.1 mg/kg/8 h) and meloxicam was administered thrice (PO, 5 mg/kg/24 h) to the anesthesia + analgesia and surgery + anesthesia + analgesia groups. The mice were subjected to laparotomy and assessed for several parameters. Even in absence of surgical pain, the anesthesia + analgesia group presented the same negative effects as the surgery + anesthesia + analgesia group. This multimodal analgesic protocol for mice was expected to have an analgesic effect on pain associated with laparotomy but was not sufficient to prevent food intake and weight decrease. This does not negate the need to administer analgesics, but suggests the need to focus on and care not only about the approach to relieve pain associated with surgery, but also other types of distresses to minimize negative side effects that may interfere with postoperative recovery in mice