Research Methods in Life Sciences Commons^™

How Rabbit Poisoning Methods Work, S H. Wheeler

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

While the "rabbit plauges" of the past are a distant memory for most farmers, rabbit numbers must still be controlled in many parts of Western Australia. Rabit control techniques rely heavily on poisoning, which given the right conditions can kill a high percentage of rabbits at risk.

Recent research by the Agricultural Protection Board has been aimed at determining how different poisons, baits and poisoning methods work. By knowing in detail how each method works and what influences its results, we can choose the best control method for a particular place and time, avoid costly failures, and increase the effectiveness …

Feral Donkeys : An Assessment Of Control In The Kimberley, S H. Wheeler

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Feral donkeys are one of the major limitations to increased pastoral production in many parts of the Kimberley area of Western Australia, where they compete with cattle for food. In addition donkeys are aggressive animals, driving cattle from watering points and better grazing areas. They eliminate perenial plants by overgrazing and therefore reduce the carrying capacity of the range.

Originally introduced as draught animals, donkeys were released when cars arrived; since then they have bred up to large numbers in many areas.

For several years the Agricultural Protection Board has undertaken a programme of donkey shooting from helicopters. Since this …

Distribution And Proportion Of Immunoreactive Neuron Specific Enoclase Containing Cells In The Rat Pineal Gland, Alfonso Miranda C.

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The distribution and proportion of cytoplasm containing immunoreactive neuron specific enolase (NSE) in the rat pineal have been investigated. Step serial sections of the pineal glands of 7 male Sprague-Dawley rats were stained for NSE using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. The volumes of the pineals and of the regions containing reactive cells were derived from the distance between sections and the sum of the corresponding sectional areas of camera lucida drawings. The proportion of the NSE areas actually consisting of NSE reactive cytoplasm was measured using an image array processor.

Cytoplasm reactive for NSE was consistently localized to the posterior …

Age-Changes Of The Neuronal Component Of Meissner Corpuscles In The Mouse Digital Pad, Roger C. Mathewson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Silver impregnated sections of mouse digital pads were studied using light microscopy to detect age-related changes of the neuronal component of Meissner corpuscles. Direct microscopic observation, photomicrographs and camera lucida tracing were utilized. From qualitative observation, the corpuscular neurites were found to undergo morphological age-related changes of diameter, tortuosity, varicosity, branching and terminal expansion size. Quantitative examination was made of the number of corpuscles, corpuscular neurites, branching neurites, cross-innervations, terminal neurite expansions, neurite intraepidermal continuations and terminal axonal processes. The number of corpuscles and neurite intraepidermal continuations decreased with age while having significant linear correlation; whereas, branching increased with age …

Ld50: A Cruel Waste Of Animals

Close Up Reports

Imagine a test in which up to 100 animals are forced to consume a toxic substance in an amount high enough to kill half of them. Then imagine that the explicit purpose of the test is to kill those animals. Incredibly, such a test not only exists but each year also claims the lives of from two to four million animals.

The test is the lethal dose 50, or LD50 as it's commonly called. Its purpose is to measure the toxicity of a substance by determining how much of that substance will kill half of a group of some 60-100 …

Letter To Editor: Reply To "In Defense Of Pound Dogs In Teaching And Research", A. F. Fraser

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The use of dogs from civic pounds in medical research and teaching is the subject of concern in animal welfare circles today. This matter was the subject of a four-page comment in a recent issue of your journal (Volume 2 (5):241-244, 1981). The title of that item was provocatively given as "Sewer Science and Pound Seizure" by author Kenneth P. Stoller. It should be noted that the use of dogs in biomedical institutions greatly relates to the instruction of medical and veterinary students. Also, millions of dogs are currently being euthanized annually in shelters across the continent. Their use, "before …

Letter To Editor: Animal Suffering: Ethical Dimensions, Judith E. Hampson

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author comments that the report (in IJSAP 3(3):254) of the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BAAS) meeting has a misleading description of her exchange with Professor Dollery. The relevant text in the BAAS proceedings of the meeting is quoted.

Letter To Editor: Firm Support For Culture Training, H. C. Rowsell

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Dr. Rowsell corrects a report in the Journal (IJSAP 3(3): 185) regarding official funding support for a tissue culture training course offered by Professor Sergey Federoff at the University of Saskatchewan.

The Ld50-The Beginning Of The End, Andrew N. Rowan

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

It has long been recognized that the LD50 measure (usually conducted using rats or mice) provides only a rough estimate of the acute toxicity of a chemical in humans. The Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry and the UK Chemical Industries Association have spoken out against the production of precise estimates of LD50 in rodents. However, the UK Home Office Report on the LD50 recommended that the LD50 should be allowed to continue. But scientific support for the test, as exemplified by recent papers in academic journals, has eroded significantly in the last few years.

Vivisection And Misanthropy, George P. Cave

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The author comments on several articles in the media that imply or state that antivivisectionists are misanthropes who like animals more than people. The author notes that one commentator mistakenly claims that Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation, equates animals and people. Singer does not claim that animals and people should be treated identically. Instead, Singer argues that animals and people are entitled to equal consideration of their interests. Different treatments will be justified if there are relevant differences between animals and people.

Protection Of Animals And Animal Experimentation: A Survey Of Scientific Experts, Norbert Lagoni, Joachim Fiebelkorn, Hans-Joachim Wormuth

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

This article summarizes information from a survey of biomedical scientists. The survey focuses on pharmacologists and toxicologists, their use of laboratory animals, and the potential for replacing their use with alternative methods for developing and evaluating pharmaceutical substances. Most surveyed felt the alternatives could supplement or complement animal tests but not replace the tests altogether. However, most favored the use of non-sentient material in safety tests.

Alternatives To Animal Experimentation, Steven M. Niemi

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Alternatives to animal experimentation are highly touted today by animal welfare advocates. Their campaign for adopting alternatives has caused much discussion and debate within and outside the biomedical community. This paper aimed to examine the controversy and assess the more common alternatives, including the bacterial mutagenicity assay or Ames test, cell culture, and mathematical models for toxicity prediction. Chemical safety testing is the most promising of the fields for alternatives where laboratory animals are used, and incorporating alternatives with live-animal assays is increasing. However, due to the limitations of alternatives in use currently, there is still a considerable need for …

The Potential Role Of Local Ethical Committees In The Moderation Of Experiments On Animals In Britain, D. P. Britt

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Scientists working with laboratory animals in Britain are made aware forcibly that a severe ethical dilemma surrounds using animals in experiments. Certain vociferous sections of the community press the issue on the general public's attention, and media sources tend to propagate views expressed by the most extreme parties while neglecting coverage of mature, rational opinions. It is, perhaps, no bad thing for the scientific community to be frequently reminded to take a responsible attitude to the use of animals. Still, recent overt, even illegal, activity on the part of extremist animal protectionist groups has encouraged a regrettable polarization of viewpoints, …

Book Reviews

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Fox reviews two books. The first is a collection of papers from the First Conference on Scientific Perspectives in Animal Welfare organized by the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare. The second book is All that Dwell Therein. Animal Rights and Environmental Ethics by Tom Regan.

The Ld50--The Beginning Of The End, Andrew N. Rowan

Experimentation Collection

Measurement is very important in science. Early lessons in the science classroom involve teaching students to measure lengths, volumes, weights, specific gravities and anything else within the mental and economic compass of the teacher. At the same time, the question of significance is drummed into the students' heads. Thus, if one has a meter-rule which is subdivided into centimeters (but not millimeters), one is taught that the measurement of its length to one decimal point (for example, 10.3 em) is acceptable, but that the addition of any more figures (for example, 10.325 em) is mere braggadocio. The eye can only …

Vivisection And Misanthropy, George P. Cave

Experimentation Collection

Goodman recognizes that it is reasonable to question whether all experiments performed on animals really contribute to human welfare, and he even concedes that the use of animals in laboratories "could no doubt be reduced further without harm to humankind." On the other hand, it is quite clear that he is completely unaware of the sheer quantity of absolutely worthless experiments currently being conducted, ,and that he subscribes to the popular misconception, deliberately perpetrated by the research establishment, that animal experimentation is coextensive with biomedical research, thereby contributing directly to human welfare through the conquering of disease. Furthermore, Goodman seems …

Thoughtful Use Of Animals, Hyram Kitchen

Experimentation Collection

As part of a symposium held in Cincinnati entitled, "Ethical Issues Related to the Use of Research Animals," I was asked by the program director to consider whether further legislation regarding the use of animals might be necessary to ensure more thoughtful use of animals at universities. The following is my response.

A Survey Of Animal Behavior-Related Research And Teaching Activities In North American Agricultural And Veterinary Medical Colleges, W. R. Stricklin

Ethology Collection

A letter questionnaire was used to survey animal behavior-related research and teaching efforts in U.S.A. and Canadian university animal sciences departments (agriculture) and veterinary medical colleges. The objectives of the eleven questions of the survey were to identify behavior workers and to determine the current and planned levels of emphasis on research and teaching activities in domestic animal behavior. During 1981, questionnaires were mailed to 162 deans and chairmen, and 102 were answered and returned. Twenty-three persons were identified as having appointments specifically or primarily in animal behavior, and 99 persons were identified as having appointments that had some responsibilities …

The Potential Role Of Local Ethical Committees In The Moderation Of Experiments On Animals In Britain, D. P. Britt

Experimentation Collection

Scientists working with laboratory animals in Britain are made aware forcibly that a serious ethical dilemma surrounds the use of animals in experiments. Certain vociferous sections of the community press the issue on the attention of the general public and media sources tend to propagate views expressed by the most extreme parties, while neglecting coverage of mature, rational opinion. It is, perhaps no bad thing for the scientific community to be frequently reminded to take a responsible attitude to the use of animals but recent overt, even illegal, activity on the part of extremist animal protectionist groups has encouraged a …

Psychology And Its Animal Subjects, Kenneth J. Shapiro

Experimentation Collection

By way of introducing Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PsyETA) to readers of the journal, I have been asked to make some comments about the organization and, from a personal point of view, to suggest some of my own positions and views.

The Relationship Between Whole Brain Catecholamine Depletion In Carassius Auratus And The Exposure To Inescapable Shock In A Learned Helplessness Paradigm, Roderick J. Misunis

Masters Theses

Learned helplessness is a psychological concept that describes the subsequent escape-avoidance behavior of experimental subjects who are exposed to uncontrollable stressors. Subjects after treatment are unable to respond in situations where escape is possible. Two major theorists, Seligman and Weiss, have proposed explanations concerning the phenomena. Seligman feels that the subject is unable to respond due to the fact that the exposure to an uncontrollable stressor has caused him to learn to be "helpless". Weiss feels that the inability to respond can best be described by alterations in the subject's brain neurochemistry, specifically the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This paper is an …

The Relationship Between Chemical Leavening Agents And Three Gastric Indices In Rats Subjected To Restraint Stress, Holly E. Bartelmann

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Male Sprague-Dawley rats fed diets of enriched yeast-leavened biscuits had no discernible advantage over those fed enriched chemically-leavened biscuits in three gastric indices studied. Restraint-stress administered to half of each dietary group was ineffectual in producing gastric ulcers, but did produce gastric color and appearance changes in fifty-eight per cent of the group receiving the chemically-leavened diet.

Thiamin and riboflavin-retention analyses done on various baked products produced conflicting results. Yeast-leavened products retained less thiamin and riboflavin than chemically-leavened products, but which chemical leavening agent was best for vitamin retention was different for each vitamin.

Observation Of Bone Formation In The Mandibular Symphysis Following Surgical Separation And Slow Mechanical Expansion In A Baboon, Robert J. Homer

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Mechanical expansion of the maxilla, at the midline suture, is a widely accepted orthodontic procedure used to gain arch width in certain types of maxillary deficient arches.

In animal research on the mandible, techniques using surgical separation at the symphysis with immediate expansion up to 12 mm, fixation with a metal splint, and autogenous bone transplanted into the expanded area, have been reported to be successful.

To date, no experiment utilizing slow mechanical expansion of the mandible at the symphysis has been reported.

In this pilot study, the mandible of a female baboon was surgically separated A-P at the symphysis. …

Is Your Pet Safe From Laboratory Experimentation?

Close Up Reports

In the U.S., the path from public or private shelters to laboratories is treat too often by dogs and cats. In a few states, so-called "pound seizure" laws require shelters to turn over unclaimed or unwanted dogs and cats to researchers. In other states, shelters may voluntarily sell dogs and cats to "bunchers" who travel around a state or states, bunching animals together to resell to research facilities. Even in the handful of states that prohibit release of animals for research purposes, unscrupulous profit seekers can find animals and sell them for research across state lines.

Many scientists claim these …

Laboratory Animals: Unification Of Legislation In Europe, H. Rozemond

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

A committee of experts, Comite Ad Hoc pour Ia Protection des Animaux (CAHPA), has been convened by the Council of Europe to prepare a European convention on the protection of laboratory animals. The chief goal of the Council of Europe is to implement peaceful cooperation concerning cultural, economic, and social affairs in Europe. Matters of military concern are excluded. The countries represented on the Council include Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Greece, Great Britain, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey, Sweden, and Switzerland. The Council holds conventions on various topics …

A Message From Pano, William G. Conway

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

William Conway, the CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society, was an innovative Zoo Director who, at times, presented his ideas in unusual ways. The Conway article reprinted in this issue of IJSAP is in the form of a memorandum from a field agent of the chimpanzee species to the “Most High Primate” resigning from his position. In Conway’s description, the memo was found in an unstamped envelope with no return address on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo. The memorandum appeared to have been written by a chimpanzee on assignment from a clandestine organization in Africa that sent undercover chimpanzees …

Meetings & Announcements

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The first international meeting on the Human/Companion Animal Bond was held at the University of Pennsylvania during October 5-7, 1981. The meeting brought together persons concerned about animal welfare and a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals. Two symposia were held in Europe in late 1981 (The Netherlands and Sweden) on the LD50 test. In October 1981, a symposium was organized in Switzerland on using animals in research and testing. At the end of 1981, the National Society for Medical Research organized an “adjunct” methods seminar. Finally, the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare organized a conference on the regulation of animal …

Legislation And Regulation

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

The idea of new federal regulation on the care and use of animals in research is no longer novel; bills that would control and refocus the conduct of animal experimentation in the U.S. have been pending since the last session of Congress. Last autumn, however, a new phase in the process began. On 13-14 October 1981, the House Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Technology held information-gathering public hearings to evaluate existing bills and possibly formulate its own legislation.

How To Compose A Laboratory Animal Use Report For The Usda, J. M. Cass

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

All research facilities must submit an annual report on laboratory animal use to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Care Staff as part of the legal requirements of the Federal Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (P.L. 89-544) and its subsequent amendments. This report (USDA: V.C. Form 18-23, Annual Report of Research Facility) must include an explanation of the scientific bases for conducting any research and tests that involve unalleviated distress (the "Pain-No Drugs" situation) in animal subjects. In some cases, only one of these reports is required.

Updating The British Cruelty To Animals Act Of 1876: Can The Center Hold?, Judith Hampson

International Journal for the Study of Animal Problems

Long experience with unsuccessful attempts by British animal welfare groups to promote private members' bills for reform or replacement of the 1876 Cruelty to Animals Act has convinced reformists that achieving this kind of change by lobbying Parliament may be impossible. For this reason, a small reformist group- spearheaded by the ex-chairman of the Labour Party, Lord Houghton, and an eminent surgeon, the late Lord Platt- was formed and drafted reform proposals in a document widely known as the Houghton/Piatt Memorandum (paper submitted to the Home Secretary, 1976). This report called for a substantial tightening of controls established under the …