1.0 OBJECTIVE: To design a Standard Operating Procedure that describes the procedure for Husbandry practices of Laboratory Animals.
2.0 RESPONSIBILITY: It is the responsibility of Animals Care Personals and Animal House In-charge.
3.0 REQUIREMENTS:
3.1 Cage cards
3.2 Animals diet
3.3 Clean or sterilized water bottles
3.4 Clean or sterilized water valves
3.5 Clean or sterilized cages with bedding
3.6 Clean or sterilized micro-barrier tops and wire-bar lids
3.7 Clean or sterilized environmental enrichment devices
4.0 PROCEDURE:
4.1 Observation of animals:
4.1.1 All animals were observed daily for illness, injury and general condition, and ensured that they have sufficient food and water, including weekends and holidays.
4.2 Emergency and holiday care:
4.2.1 A routine care and husbandry was provided for all animals on weekends and holidays.
4.2.2 Provisions were made for emergency care by providing both work and after hours contact information for Principal Investigator (PI) and their staff. Special requests or instructions were provided if needed.
4.3 Housing:
4.3.1 All animals were segregated by species in separate rooms.
4.3.2 All animal rooms were monitored for correct temperature and humidity twice a day (Minimum/Maximum) and logged on room log sheet.
4.3.3 All animals were segregated by gender unless breeding.
4.3.4 Static rodent cages kept on conventional metal racks have filter tops.
4.3.5 Bedding was approximately ¾ high per cage and not so high that it touches the water spout.
4.3.6 Bedding type was decided by the Principal Investigator.
4.3.7 Cage was changed on alternate day or immediately whenever observed wet.
4.4 Animal identification methods:
4.4.1 All the cages were identified with a cage card which includes all the information such as – investigator, protocol number, species, strain, sex and number of animal in the cage.
4.4.2 Individual animals were identified as per SOP for animal identification system.
4.5 Feeding:
4.5.1 Open feed bags were stored in leak-proof containers with tightly fitted lids.
4.5.2 Feed was maintained in a dry, clean and closed room having provision of UV light.
4.5.3 The feed was stored on plastic pallets off the floor and 4-6 inches away from walls, in a vermin-proof storeroom.
4.5.4 Rodents were fed a commercial diet ad libitum.
4.5.5 Pelleted feed was placed in stainless steel feeders attached to the plastic cages or in a wire top lid.
4.5.6 Food was checked daily and topped off if low.
4.5.7 Fresh feed was replaced every week on fresh sterilized stainless steel feeders.
4.5.8 Necessary entries were made in day book/activity book and utilization records were also maintained.
4.5.9 Nutrient content and microbial contamination analysis report was available for each batch purchased.
4.6 Water:
4.6.1 Fresh aqua guard filtered water was available at all times in water bottles with sipper tubes.
4.6.2 Water bottle of each cage was checked daily to make sure that they are not clogged, empty or leaking.
4.6.3 Empty bottles were replaced with clean ones rather than refilling them.
4.6.4 Water quality was routinely monitored to ensure that it is free of contaminants that could potentially expose animals to chemicals or infectious agents.
4.6.5 Water quality was checked in every 6 months interval for its pH, hardness, and microbial or chemical contamination and to ensure that water quality is acceptable.
4.7 Bedding material:
4.7.1 The bedding material (paddy husk) used for rodents was ensured to be dry, dust free, absorbent, non-toxic and free from infectious agents and vermin.
4.7.2 Bedding was transported and stored off the floor on pallets and was continuously treated with UV light to maintain of quality and minimization of contamination.
4.7.3 Bedding used was sufficient to keep animals dry between cage changes.
4.7.4 Quality was monitor for microbial and chemical contamination once in every six months.
4.8 Cage Changes:
4.8.1 Rodent cages were changed twice in a week or whenever required based on the number of animals housed per cage.
4.8.2 Conventional racks were sanitized once every two weeks.
4.8.3 Wire lids and water bottles were removed and sanitized once every week.
4.8.4 Animals were handled by glove hands or plastic tongs.
4.8.5 Clean cages and racks were not stored for more than two weeks.
4.8.6 The equipments were re-washed if kept longer than two weeks before use.
4.8.7 A label or sign sating when the cages, racks or equipments were sanitized was posted in a clear location for inspection.
4.9 Cleaning of cages:
4.9.1 The materials were removed and send for disposal.
4.9.2 Cages were washed with liquid detergent and clean water and sterilized using chemical sterilization procedure.
4.9.3 Sterilized cages were stored under UV sterilization condition.
4.10 Cleaning and sanitation of housing rooms and equipment's:
4.10.1 Weekly:
4.10.1.1 The floor drains were flushed
4.10.1.2 Change/clean pre-filters in changing stations/biosafety cabinets.
4.10.1.3 Light timers were checked.
4.10.1.4 The floors were mopped.
4.10.2 Monthly:
4.10.2.1 The micro-isolator tops were changed.
4.10.2.2 All surfaces such as sinks, doors, door jams and doorknobs, windows, cart tops, shelves, etc. were wiped with the disinfectant solution.
4.10.2.3 The changing stations/biosafety cabinets were changed (filters were removed, vacuum and drain).
4.10.2.4 Room exhaust grills were cleaned.
4.10.3 Bi-annually:
4.10.3.1 All walls were washed with disinfectant solution.
4.10.3.2 Racks were washed
4.10.4 Transportation:
4.10.4.1 The animals were transported i.e. shipped outside of the Institute in filtered commercial rodent transport boxes.
4.10.4.2 Animals were transported within the Institute in either filter cages or un-filtered cages wrapped in a material which prevents animal allergens from escaping into the environment. Cages were covered by opaque material.
5.0 PRECAUTIONS:
5.1 Personal Protection Equipment should be worn every time while looking after the animals.
5.2 Any injury or health issue of the animal should be immediately reported.
5.3 The animal cages should be cleaned thoroughly from time to time
5.4 Proper disinfectant and detergent should be used for cage or tray washing.
5.5 Bedding material should be dry, dust free, and sterilized.
5.6 The feed should be UV sterilized and a check on its nutritional content should be made from time to time.
5.7 A record of the feed consumed by the animals should be maintained.
5.8 The animal house in charge should personally monitor these activities from time to time.
6.0 REFERENCES:
END OF THE DOCUMENT
You may like to read these links:
1. List of In-vivo laboratory Vendors (Capex)
2. List of SOPs and Documents for CPCSEA
3. List of All SOPs and Documents for Laboratory Instruments and Equipment
Hi. I’m Writer of Researchsop.com. ’ ’ Please share these SOPs to all concern pharma people for their development. I like to fullfill the need of curious people. These things inspire me to make things looks better.
0 comments:
Post a Comment