Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) FAQs

1. Training is of 2 types.
   1. Pre-protocol submission certification on animal welfare (see Steps)
   2. Post-protocol approval on handling animals and safety, as well as facility policy and procedure.Training is of 2 types.
      1. Pre-protocol submission certification on animal welfare (see Steps)
      2. Post-protocol approval on handling animals and safety, as well as facility policy and procedure.

In compliance with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and other applicable federal and state regulations, all research or teaching using live vertebrate animals conducted under the oversight of AUC must be submitted to the IACUC for approval.

Animals that are used for educational purposes are covered under the Animal Welfare Act. Examples include live animals that are set up for observation, handling, or manipulation for a classroom/laboratory exercise. These exercises need IACUC approval prior to beginning.

The use of dead animals or parts of animals is not covered by the PHS Policy unless the activity involves (1) killing animals for the purpose of obtaining or using their tissues or other materials, or (2) project-specific antemortem manipulation of animals prior to killing them. If either circumstance is applicable to the acquisition of dead animals, body parts or tissues, prior IACUC protocol review and approval are required.

Yes, larval forms of fish and amphibians have vertebrae and are covered by the PHS Policy. The PHS Policy applies to the offspring of egg-laying vertebrates only after hatching. Zebrafish larvae, for example, typically hatch 3 days post-fertilization.

Potential Pain/Distress. Procedures are classified according to the level of potential pain or distress that the animal may experience. If more than slight or momentary pain and distress could be caused by the procedure, then relief must be provided (pain class D). If relief cannot be provided (pain class E), there must be scientific justification for withholding of relief, the justification must be included in the animal use protocol, and must be approved by the IACUC. Additional information can be found in USDA Animal Care Resource Guide.

USDA Pain Codes

C - No pain or distress

D - Pain or distress with relief

E - Pain or distress without relief

Multiple major survival surgery: A major survival surgery penetrates and exposes the body cavity or produces substantial impairment of physical or physiologic functions (such as thoracotomy, craniotomy, cranial trauma, spinal cord injury or transection, joint replacement and limb amputation). Scientific justification is required in the animal use protocol if more than one major survival surgery is to be performed on an animal during the course of the protocol experiment.

Certain experimental paradigms require the use of food or water restriction in order to accomplish studies such as operant conditioning work. The IACUC is required to approve these restrictions to ensure they are scientifically justified, minimize the level of restriction, and have criteria in place to monitor the health of animals on these studies.

Animal use protocols employing food or water restriction must provide the duration of restriction, level of restriction, and justification for the restriction as part of the protocol description. Furthermore, the early removal criteria must provide methods to assess the animal's health while on restriction. Typically, this will require a frequent monitoring method such as daily weighing of the animal. Pre-surgical food restriction should be detailed in the surgery procedure as part of the animal use protocol, and does not need specific justification.

The typical duration of IACUC approval is two (2) years, providing there is no change in the protocol, whether in performance or design. If there is, an amended protocol must be submitted for review and approval. This includes addition of personnel, who must demonstrate having undergone proper training.

If the study, or approved sequence of studies, are completed in less than 3 years, this will mark the end of the IACUC approval. Extending studies beyond 3 years requires submission of a progress report and submission of a proposal justifying continuation. Attempts to extend, without undergoing review are noncompliant and violation of IACUC guidelines.

As part of their graduate training, graduate students will submit a proposal and evidence of training prior to commencing lab animal research. On completion of the study and degree, approval and access are terminated. Please note that an IACUC approval or waiving of the need for IACUC approval is part of the thesis submission.

If students are working in the capacity of Research Assistants, or as part of an undergraduate senior project, students must be listed in the protocol submitted for review, inclusive of evidence of training. Graduate students MUST submit their own protocols, when the work is part of their thesis/dissertation research, per the above.

No. Part of the review process is the qualification of the investigator, whether faculty or student. It is imperative that a new investigator demonstrate their familiarity with their protocol, the associate literature and obligation. However, additional investigators, precluding graduate students whose research is associated with a protocol, may be added by informing the IACUC and providing evidence of training

In addition to cage IDs and animal care/procedure logs for all animals housed on a protocol, a post-operative record should be kept in the room where the animals are housed. Having the record in the room accomplishes several functions: 

1) It explains the condition of the animals to animal care staff (a sedated animal may otherwise be thought to be ill);

2) It assures animal care staff and IACUC inspectors that the animal is being cared for; 

3) It informs animal care staff how recently the investigator has seen the animal; this knowledge helps them decide whether or not there is a need to contact the investigator to inform him or her of the present condition of the animal; and

4) Alerts the staff when and if there is a need to terminate the study.

Absolutely NOT! The facility is not designed or equipped to handle infectious agents. 

Protocols that involve minimal pain and distress to laboratory animals are generally undergo review by a DMR. Turnaround time is shorter.

Protocols that involve risks of pain and distress to the animals (e.g., cancer studies, toxicity tests, induction of disease states, major surgeries, etc.) undergo review by the FCR and have a longer turnaround time. 

Whenever possible, non-animal alternatives test, if available and suitable are encouraged. However, when justified, as in studying a system or disease condition, investigators must adhere to all definitions of undue distress and pain, when possible