2007 TBAALAS ProgramMay 9-11, 2007
American Association For Laboratory Animal Science
Celebrating Dedication to Caring and Commitment
May 9-11, 2007 Wyndham Arlington
Arlington, Texas Program Co-Chairs Local Arrangements Chair Valeri
Lansford, RLATG Pat Sikes, MS Hugh Harroff, DVM
4 AALAS District VII
New Mexico Branch Dr. Rick Lee Mr. Frank Ali
Oklahoma Branch Ms. Misty Troutt Ms. Treva Lawson
Texas Branch
Dr. Hugh Harroff Co-Chair
Ms. Valeri Lansford Chair
Metro St Louis Branch Mr. George Nugent Ms. Peggy Nahorski Ms.
Tamra Whittenberg
Mile High Branch Ms. Ellen Taylor Ms. Julia Granowski
Mid Missouri Branch Ms. Tammy Rold Dr. Aric Krogstad
Kansas City Branch Ms. Jennifer Brooks Ms. Shannon Jones
2007 Meeting Program 5
Mr. Christian Newcomer, AALAS Vice President-Elect Dr. Ann Turner,
AALAS Executive Director
Dr. Alexander Dunlap, MD, DVM, FAAFP, Tecniplast Special Topics
Lecture
SILENT AUCTION Visit the Silent Auction and make a bid on your
favorite items! Bidding closes at 3:30 pm Thursday. Winning bids
will be announced during the Awards Banquet. Cash or check payments
can be made by noon on Friday.
LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER There is a wealth of knowledge available
to you in the Learning Resources Center. We encourage you to stop
by and view some of our many videotapes on a variety of laboratory
animal issues.
TECH LOUNGE The Tech Lounge will be located in conjunction with the
Learning Resources Center. It is intended to provide a relaxed
atmosphere for technicians in which they can have an opportunity to
learn about national AALAS and meet the officers, meet TBAALAS
officers, and just “kick back”. There will be door prizes and other
giveaways.
SPECIAL THANKS Thanks to all the volunteers who made this meeting
possible. Thanks also to our vendor participants for their
continued support for our meeting and our branches.
6 AALAS District VII
713-522-5393
[email protected] 210 292-6094
713 798-7871
www.tbaalas.org
Valerie Fiolkoski, President Elect Sheryl Carter, Past
President
Kim Olson, Secretary Gail Heidbrink, Treasurer
Brian Gilman, Board Member Rick Heimbichner, Board Member Julia
Granowski, Board Member Lynelle Lopez, Board Member
Louisiana Branch Mark Murchison, President
Rick Ramsey, President Elect Cynthia Kloster, Past President
Melissa Brown, Secretary/Treasurer David Landals, Board
Member
Rickey Burkhalter, Board Member Linda Chase, Board Member
Metro St. Louis Branch John Hancock, President
Treasurer Gail Moore
Gerro Pannell, Board Member Debbie Hernandez, Board Member
David Pizanan, Board Member Paul Langner, Board Member
Oklahoma Branch President Misty Troutt
Secretary Treva Lawson Treasurer Denver Marlow Historian Roman
Wolfe
Arkansas Branch Carol Cain, President
Mid Missouri Branch Aric Krogstad, President
Kansas City Branch Jennifer Brooks, President
District VII Executive Boards of Directors
8 AALAS District VII
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, May 9 Registration Champions Foyer 8 am-5 pm CMAR Exam
Triple Crown 8 am-Noon Officer Orientation Indy 500 10 am-Noon AREA
Program Legends 10 am-2 pm Comm. Vendor Presentations Hall of Fame
10 am-Noon Tech Lounge/Learning Center Triple Crown 1 pm-4 pm
Vendor Exhibit Set-up Champions 8 am-12 pm LAAALAS Board Meeting
Triple Crown noon-1:00 pm Scientific Session Hall of Fame 1-5 pm
Vendor Lunch w/AREA Champions 11 am-12:45 Exhibits Open Champions 1
pm – 5 pm Silent Auction Bidding Champions 1 pm - 5 pm Poster
Session Champions foyer 1- 5:00 pm LA Managers Triple Crown 5-5:30
pm Welcome Reception Poolside 5:30-7:00 pm Live Auction Poolside
6:00 pm
Thursday, May 10 Registration Champions Foyer 7:30 am-5 pm
Continental Breakfast Champions 7:30 am-8:30 am Tech Lounge
/Learning Center Triple Crown 9 am-11:00 am, Noon-3:00 pm
Scientific Session A Hall of Fame 8 am –Noon, 1:00-4:30 pm Parasite
Wet Lab Legends 9 -11 am Exhibits/Poster Sessions Champions 8-11:00
am, Noon-3:30 pm Silent Auction Bidding Champions 8-11:00 am,
Noon-3:30 pm Scientific Session B Legends 2:05 – 3:10 pm Exhibit
Dismantle Champions 3:45-6 pm NMAALAS Board Meeting Triple Crown
4:30-5:30 pm Cash Bar Reception Plaza on the Hill 6:30-7 pm Awards
Banquet Plaza on the Hill 7-9 pm
Friday, May 11 Registration Champions Foyer 7:30 – 9:00am
Continental Breakfast Champions Foyer 7:30 -8:30am Scientific
Session Hall of Fame 8:00 am-Noon Scientific Session B Legends
8-9:30 am TBAAAS Board Meeting Yacht Club Noon-3 pm
2007 Meeting Program 9
Wednesday, May 9, 2007 8:00 - 12:00- Dr. Cindy Buckmaster CMAR Exam
Triple Crown Room 10:00 - 2:30 – Dr. Hugh Harroff & Dr. Egeenee
Daniels Animal Research Education & Awareness (AREA Program)
Legends Room
Commercial Vendor Platform Presentations Hall of Fame Room
Moderator: Ms. Lisa Brown 10:00 - 10:20 Mr. Brian Clark -
Airnet-Compassionate Transport of Lab Animals
10:20 - 10:40 Mr. Mark Czarneski - ClorDiSys Solutions,
Inc.-Decontamination of 70 Room New Lab Animal Facility
10:40 - 11:00 Mr. Greg Sharp - Green Products Company-Corncobs 101
- getting cobs from the field to the lab
11:00 - 11:20 Ms. Teresa Cremer - WR², Inc.-Integrated Systems for
the Management of Biologic, Biohazardous and Infectious Waste in
Animal Facilities
11:20 - 11:40 Dr G.F. Rivard - Animal Care Systems- Optimal
MicroEnvironmental Conditions for Mice
11:40 - 12:00 Mr. Paul Lorcheim - ClorDiSys Solutions, Inc.-
Selecting the Right Decontamination Method
12:00 Ms. Valeri Lansford - Wrap up/Announcements
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch on your own
10 AALAS District VII
Scientific Sessions Hall of Fame Room
Moderator: Dr. Rick Lee 1:00 - 1:05 Ms. Kathleen McKay (President
of TBAALAS) - Welcome to Texas!
1:05 - 1:10 Ms. Gail Heidbrink – 2009 National AALAS Meeting in
Denver
1:10 - 1:20 Ms. Patricia Sikes & Ms. Valeri Lansford -Welcome
from Local Arrangements/Program Chairs
1:20 - 1:50 Dr. Christian Newcomer (AALAS Vice President) & Dr.
Ann Turner (AALAS Execu- tive Director) - Laboratory Animal Science
in the 21st Century
1:50 - 2:15 Ms. Leticia McGuffey & Mr. Brian Gillman - Meet
your District VII Trustees
2:15 - 3:00 Ms. Lynell Dupepe – Facing a Category Five Storm,
preparations, successes, and chal- lenges
3:00 - 3:30 Break
3:30 - 3:45 Mr. David Salazar -The Designing of a New
Induction/Recovery/Euthanasia Chamber and Manifold for Mice and
Other Small Animals-(See David with Chamber in Tech Lounge from
9:00-10:00 Thursday)
3:45 - 4:00 Dr. Brian Gibson-Case Report: Establishing a
Standardized Dental Record Keeping System for a Small
Investigational Colony of Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca mulatta)
4:00 - 4:15 Ms. Cynthia Kloster -Where do I go from Here in my
Laboratory Animal Career?
4:15 - 4:30 Dr. Robert Rose-Perineal Mass in a Rat
4:30 - 4:45 Dr. Michael Lammey-Cardiovascular Evaluation of Captive
Chimpanzees (Pan troglo- dytes)
4:45 - 5:00 Ms. Valeri Lansford - Closing Remarks and
Announcements
5:30 - 7:00 Evening Social Welcome Reception – Poolside - Visit
from the Ft. Worth Zoo “Wild Wonders Outreach Program” and Live
Auction
2007 Meeting Program 11
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Wet Lab Legends Room (by preregistration only)
9:00 - 10:00-Dr. Mark McArthur - Parasites: The Long and Short of
It Legends Room (by preregistration only) 10:00 - 11:00-Dr. Mark
McArthur - The Long and Short of It Legends Room (by
preregistration only) Scientific Sessions
Hall of Fame Room Moderator: Mr. Frank Ali 8:00 - 8:15 Ms. Lisa
Maloy- Case Report of Chronic Bloating In Rhesus Macaque
8:15 - 8:30 Ms. M. L. Loney - What & How Do You Show?
8:30 - 8:45 Ms. Kathrine Phillippi-Falkenstein -Tetanus infection
and successful implementation of preventative vaccine program at
Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC)
8:45 - 9:00 Mr. Michael G. Sidelsky, Sr. - Biocontainment- Easier
Said Then Done
9:00 - 9:15 Mr. Don Daniels - Increasing Rodent Cage Density in
Existing Rooms
9:15 - 9:30 Mr. Gordon Yee- PlasTek – A Star Trekers’ Look at Lab
Animal Plastics
9:30 - 10:30 Break in Vendor area
10:30 - 10:45 Ms. Pamela Huskey - Preventing Cross Contamination of
Genotyping Samples Through Effective Decontamination
10:45 - 11:00 Ms. Belinda Rivera-Taking Some of the Mystery out of
Imaging
11:00 - 12:00 Tecniplast Special Topics Lecture Dr. Alexander
Dunlap, MD, DVM, FAAFP Laboratory Animal Care in Space
12:00 - 1:00 Box Lunch in Vendor Area
12 AALAS District VII
Scientific Session A
Hall of Fame Room Moderator: Ms. Tamra Whittenberg 1:00 - 1:20 Ms.
Belinda Proctor - Increasing AALAS Certification - The Lexicon
Success Story
1:20 - 2:05 Ms. Lorraine Hough & Ms. Gale Davy-
Inreach/Outreach: The who, what, when, where, how and why YOU must
get involved!
2:05 - 2:20 Dr. Cheryl L. Haughton - Chinchilla Challenges: Tips on
Biology, Housing, Handling, and Care
2:20 - 2:35 Dr. D. Rick Lee –Humane Enpoints for Nonhuman Primates
in Biomedical Research
2: 35 - 2:50 Dr. Stacy Pritt-New Information on the Colonization
and Transmission of Bordetella bronchiseptica in Rabbits
2:50 - 3:05 Mr. Adam Warner- Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV)
decontamination of MD Anderson Cancer Center’s New Animal
Vivarium
3:05 - 3:45 Break
3:45 - 4:00 Mr. Scott Holmes – Rust in your Water, or is it
4:00 - 4:15 Dr. Karen A. Tatum - Look Past the Mouse; Investigating
All Possibilities When Faced with a Potential Outbreak
4:15 - 4:20 Ms. Valeri Lansford – Closing Remarks &
Announcements
4:20 - 4:40 Texas Branch AALAS General Membership Meeting
6:30 - 9:30 Cocktail Reception & Awards Banquet – The Pavilion
Poolside
Scientific Session B—Roundtable Discussion
Legends Room 2:05 - 3:10 “Issues in Transgenic Rodent Production”-
Ms Traci Reddick & Ms Kim Hildreth
2007 Meeting Program 13
Friday, May 11, 2007
Moderator: Dr. Terry Blasdel 8:00 - 8:30 Mr. Dan Riestenberg-Floor
Care
8:30 - 8:45 Mr. William Clarke- Laboratory Diet Formulation Methods
– Clearing the Confusion
8: 45 - 9:15 Ms. Jamieson L. Greaver-Animal Technician Training for
Impact
9:15 - 9:45 Dr. Gordon Brackee- Design Features of the LSRB Animal
Facility at UT Southwestern
9:45 - 10:00 Ms. Lea Bitner –Welcome To Utah: It's Not What You
Think!
10:00 - 10:15 Break
10:15 - 10:40 Ms. Krystine Potter - The Role of Cage Location on
Stereotypical Behavior in Adult, Male, Singly Caged Cynomolgus
Macaques
10:40 - 10:55 Dr. Joe Simmons- Multiplexed Diagnostic Testing:
Ensuring the Quality of Your Diag- nostic Testing Results
10:55 - 11:10 Mr. Frank N. Ali -A Business Plan for Animal Care
Facilities in a Contract Research Laboratory
11:10 - 11:25 Dr. Paul Langner- Immunopharmacotherapy Safety
Testing in Laboratory Animals
11:25 - 11:40 Mr. Brian Gillman - Outsourcing Branch Management –
Is this the best way?
11:40 - 11:55 2009 National Meeting in Denver – Discussion from
District VII Members!
11:55 - 12:00 Ms. Valeri Lansford - Closing Remarks
Scientific Session B—Workshop
Legends Room ( by preregistration only) 8:00 - 9:30 Dr. Ann Turner
- You are now A Manager ADJOURN
14 AALAS District VII
Changes for A Male Chimpanzee
Mr. Dewan Haque - Progression of Loss of Glucose Tolerance in
Female NOD Mice
Dr. Jan Parker-Thornburg - Cryopreservation as a tool for
optimizing animal use in transgenic facilities
Ms. Jennifer Sharp - The Impact of an Animal Care Technician on
Scientific Studies
Ms. Karin Bailey - “Swiss Roll”- It’s Not for Breakfast
Ms. Kimberly Bonnet - The Ultimate Pooper Scooper
Ms. Teresa Flores - Chimpanzees Gone Wild Over Enrichment!
Mr. Mansa Melvin - Streamlining International Rodent
Shipments
Mr. Pedro Barajas - Improving The Health Care of Chimpanzees: The
Technicians Role
Ms. Deborah Minor - My Trip To The National AALAS Meeting As Lab
Products’ Technician of the Year 2005 For District 7
Ms. Cynthia Kloster - Cost Efficient Humidity Monitoring: Is Your
Facility Really at 55% RELATIVE HUMIDITY
Mr. Frankie Anders - Training Non-human Primates to Jump from Cage
to Cage
Mr. Reafa Bickham - Post-surgical Recovery of Non-human Primates at
the Tulane National Primate Research Center
Ms. Debbie Phillips - Environmental Enrichment in a Mini Pig
Production Facility
Dr. Stacy Pritt - Development of Conjunctivitis in Nude Mice Housed
on Different Bedding
Mr. Anthony P. McMickle - Improving Methods of Oral Nicotine
Self-Administration
Ms. Elizabeth Scanlon - A Modification to a Common BAL Technique to
Enhance Sample Diagnostic Value
Mr Gary J. Barron - Tips, Suggestions & Communication Issues
for Importing and Exporting Rodents
Ms. Carla Sockey - Undergraduate Opportunities In Animal Care and
Research at Arkansas State University
Dr. Stacy Pritt - The Consolidation of ResearchTraining.org into
the AALAS Learning Library
Ms. Theresa Flores - The Use of LabGel-PE™ as a Delivery Medium for
Medication in Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
2007 Meeting Program 15
Don’t forget to check out the Silent Auction! Each District VII
Branch has items up for auction &
proceeds benefit Branch activities.
The Silent Auction tables are located in the Exhibit Area, so stop
by! Champions Room
Wednesday 1pm—5pm Thursday 8am—11am & 12noon—3:30pm
Bidding Closes at 3:30pm on Thursday!
Remember: Bid Early! Bid Often!
Attention new Texas Branch RALATs, RLATs, RLATGs, and CMARs!
Have you recently earned your AALAS Certification?
Each of our newly certified Texas Branch individuals receives a
complimentary one-year TBAALAS membership!
If you’ve recently become certified, contact:
Belinda Proctor, Membership Chair
[email protected]
281 863-3173
PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Commercial Vendor Platform Presentations Compassionate Transport of
Lab Animals Brian D Clark, Airnet Given the theme of this year’s
conference, “Celebrating dedication to care and commitment,” I
believe a talk about our company would fit right in. We specialize
in the safe and compassionate and transport of lab animals and we
are dedicated and committed to doing it right. There are several
facets of the transportation process that should be considered by
labs when they need to transport animals, particularly by air: will
the process be temperature controlled? Who will be handling the
animals? Have they been trained how to handle them? Are they
experts in handling sensitive cargo? What happens in the event of
flight delays or cancellations? With all the care and attention
that is given to animals in the facility equal care and
consideration should be given to the way in which they are
transported. Decontamination of 70 Room New Lab Animal Facility Mr.
Mark Czarneski, ClorDiSys Solutions, Inc. This case study describes
the decontamination process using gaseous chlorine dioxide to
proactively decontaminate a180,000 cubic feet animal research
building. The facility was a new research area where the company
desired to ensure that it was free of any pathogens before the
research animals were brought into the facility. All of the
equipment was to be decontaminated in place thereby reducing the
need to autoclave all incoming equipment. The facility also had a
complicated geometry with approximately 70 rooms of various sizes
off of two main hallways. Chlorine dioxide gas was chosen because
of its ability to reach all surfaces including floor drains and
HVAC duct work, its gentleness on materials, minimal equipment
required and quickness of the decontamination process. During the
actual decontamination process, chlorine dioxide gas was delivered
to the facility using 5 generators to reach and maintain the proper
concentration. Decontamination efficacy was demonstrated using
paper strip biological indicators, containing 106 spores of
Bacillus atrophaeous, This work demonstrates the utility and
efficacy of using gaseous chlorine dioxide for the decontamination
of large facilities with many equipment surfaces, a complex
geometry of numerous rooms, and miscellaneous electronic equipment
without the need to separate the area into smaller volumes.
Corncobs 101 - getting cobs from the field to the lab Mr. Greg
Sharp, Green Products Company Corncob bedding has been a laboratory
mainstay for decades. Learn why the raw material supply is finite,
how they are processed, and what other markets and applications
utilize corncob particles. Additionally, gain perspective on the
impact to the corncob industry from ethanol made from corn and
cellulose. Progress on the development of a sanitized corncob
bedding product will also be covered. Integrated Systems for the
Management of Biologic, Biohazardous and Infectious Waste in Animal
Facilities Ms. Teresa Cremer, WR², Inc. The combination of alkaline
hydrolysis at elevated temperatures to dispose of biologic waste
(the WR² Process) and on- site processing of all other regulated
medical waste (red bag waste), general laboratory waste, and animal
bedding with the WR² technologies provides a secure, efficient,
economical, and environmentally responsible program for waste
management in veterinary and medical animal research facilities and
hospitals.
2007 Meeting Program 17
Optimal MicroEnvironmental Conditions for Mice Dr. G.F. Rivard,
Animal Care Systems Principal investigators using mice in
biomedical research strive to improve experimental design for the
production of valid data while implementing the Three R’s concept
of Russell & Burch. The production of valid data is associated
with the control of a triangular interplay of factors – genetic,
health, and environmental factors. The control of environmental
factors that include conditions, disturbances, and stressors would
assure optimal microenvironmental conditions throughout the
experiment. We look at air velocity, ventilation efficiency, noise
and vibration, as well as environmental enrichment inside
ventilated cages as a source of variables and in relation to animal
care and use. Selecting the Right Decontamination Method Mr. Paul
Lorcheim, ClorDiSys Solutions, Inc. This presentation describes and
compares the primary methods of sterilizing / decontaminating clean
rooms. The methods considered include gaseous systems, vapor
systems, misting systems, and fogging, as well as manual spray and
wipe techniques. The goal is to give the listeners an understanding
of what the benefits and drawbacks of each method are so that an
educated decision can be made as to what methods are best suited
for different required levels of decontamination. It describes the
penetrating ability of gaseous methods, the simplicity of spray and
wipe techniques, the cost effectiveness of fogging and
formaldehyde, and issues of “wet” vapors versus “dry” vapors. The
practical aspects of the different methods are also compared and
contrasted. Room size and configuration limitations are discussed.
Effectiveness against recontamination from within the room is
discussed as are new techniques such as “sterilization” rooms which
can ensure the sterility of equipment and components prior to them
being brought into a clean room. The scale-up of the various
methods are discussed and compared. By comparing the various
methods, the proper method can be utilized for the desired level of
decontamination that the user wants and requires for each
particular application.
Scientific Sessions Facing a Category Five Storm, preparations,
successes, and challenges Ms. Lynell Dupepe, Tulane University
Health Science Center On Sunday, August 28, 2005, when residents of
southeast Louisiana were given the order for mandatory evacuation
due to the approaching unprecedented Category 5 hurricane, we all
knew we were in for a ride. However, no one expected the roller
coaster ride to last for several months. At most, we all expected
to be back, business as usual, in a couple of days. Instead, we
came back to destruction of Biblical proportions. Although our
disaster plans were tested by the worst storm recorded in history,
all of the planning and preparation paid off thanks to the tireless
efforts of a hand full of brave and dedicated technicians. It took
most of a week to coordinate personnel and to assemble resources
necessary for evacuating transgenic founder animals from three
facilities on two campuses. With the combined efforts of Federal
and State officials along with Tulane personnel and friends in the
industry, we were able to rescue the founder colonies and transfer
them to appropriate holding facilities. This combined effort is
testimony to the dedication, caring and commitment we are
celebrating at the 2007 AALAS District VII meeting. The Designing
of a New Induction/Recovery/Euthanasia Chamber and Manifold for
Mice and Other Small Animals Mr. David Salazar, William Beaumont
Army Medical Center Temporary downsizing of staff, coupled with
budget constraints, forced our lab to re evaluate our methods
and
18 AALAS District VII
materials. The outcome leads to equipment modification. Exploring
our options, we realized that the type of custom induction chamber
needed for our research was either commercially unavailable or cost
prohibitive. The next logical step was to build an in-house model.
The primary goal was to design a system that would 1) reduce
procedure time and manpower without adversely affecting the data 2)
meet and exceed industry safety standards 3) regulate the gas
exchange through independent controls in each chamber. In
conclusion, our prototype met and exceeded all needs and
expectations. This was evidenced by a reduction or elimination of
anxiety and aversion, reduced anesthesia and recovery time. The
model has air tight fittings that are not permanent allowing for
easy adaptation and modification for other small animals in
research. Case Report: Establishing a Standardized Dental Record
Keeping System for a Small Investigational Colony of Rhesus Monkeys
(Macaca mulatta) Dr. Brian Gibson, Baylor College of Medicine
Center for Comparative Medicine Dental hygiene is becoming an
increasingly important component of quality health care for
laboratory animals, especially nonhuman primates (NHPs). The key to
a successful health care program is an effective and efficient
record keeping system. In an effort to standardize a dental hygiene
program for a small colony of NHPs we have developed a dental
recording chart specific for rhesus monkeys. This dental chart was
made using the Modified Triadan System. The purpose of developing
and implementing a dental hygiene program and standard dental chart
is to minimize variables that may affect research data. All NHPs in
this Pharmacokinetic model are instrumented with one or more
Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD). Select NHPs are instrumented
with Ommaya reservoirs placed in the 4th ventricle and Lateral
Ventricular Catheters. The nature of this model commands that all
animals be in optimal physical condition including dental health.
Where do I go from Here in my Laboratory Animal Career? Ms. Cynthia
Kloster, Pennington Biomedical Research Center Climbing the
corporate ladder can be confusing for the laboratory animal
technician. Once starting the certification tract the main question
is what is my next step for obtaining my career goals. This
presentation is an overview of a technician who started in
veterinary medicine and transferred into a career path of
laboratory animal medicine. Real decision making and career
objectives are mentioned as to how to position oneself for the next
step in their career. This program will be interactive for group
discussion. Perineal Mass in a Rat Dr. Robert Rose, University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas A 24 month old male
F344/Brown Norway hybrid rat was examined for a perineal mass just
ventral to the anus and dorsal to the scrotum. The mass was soft,
non-painful and did not appear to interfere with normal defecation.
Differential diagnosis included neoplasia, cyst formation, perineal
hernia, and organized abscess. The rat was anesthetized with
isoflurane and the skin over the mass was incised to facilitate
surgical exploration and possible removal of the mass. The mass
contained purulent material which originated from a necrotic
testis. Purulent material was drained, necrotic debris was excised
and the surgical site was flushed. The atrophied contralateral
testis was removed during the procedure. Histopathology and
bacterial culture were submitted for analysis. The rat recovered
from the procedure uneventfully. Results of aerobic bacterial
culture were negative. Histopathology revealed a pyogranulomatous
epididymitis (sperm granuloma) most likely as a secondary response
to release of spermatozoa from ruptured seminiferous tubules. Sperm
granulomas are most often associated with vasectomy and
administration of certain chemicals (L-cysteine and
2-methylimidazole) unlike the spontaneous presentation in this
case.
2007 Meeting Program 19
Cardiovascular Evaluation of Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Dr. Michael Lammey, Alamogordo Primate Center Cardiovascular
disease is currently the primary cause of mortality among captive
chimpanzee populations. An extensive, complete cardiovascular
evaluation is imperative to diagnose and treat cardiac diseases in
these animals. Assessment of cardiovascular health is essential for
veterinarians and technicians to provide a comprehensive healthcare
program. The diagnostic protocol used at our facility includes an
annual physical examination, serial blood pressures, CBC, serum
biochemistry, cardiac biomarkers, electrocardiography, thoracic
radiographs and, if warranted, serial echocardiograms.
Echocardiograms are evaluated and standard measurements are
analyzed by a board certified veterinary cardiologist. Use of these
techniques can provide a solid cardiac evaluation. Assessment of
cardiac function along with early detection of cardiomyopathies and
arrhythmias is needed to make informed treatment and medical
decisions. Information derived from physical and cardiac
examinations is currently being used to establish a database of
reference values. Case Report of Chronic Bloating in Rhesus Macaque
Ms. Lisa Maloy, University of Texas Health Science Center San
Antonio The incidence of chronic bloating in Rhesus Macaques can
become challenging to control in a large clinical environment. At
our facility, we were faced with this challenge in an adolescent
Rhesus that bloated multiple times over a course of several weeks
with each incident requiring sedation and stomach pumping. The
course of treatment included decreased the amount of food at meals,
increased number of meals, limited water access, anti-gas
medication, increased calorie intake and diagnostic testing. I will
discuss the methods we took to treat chronic bloat in this Rhesus
macaque and the outcomes of this case. What & How Do You Show?
Ms. M.L. Loney, Bayer CropScience To sustain a career in your
selected vocation, one must decide what s/he believes in. What do
you demonstrate to those around you? Do your activities include
levels of dedication, caring and commitment (advocacy) toward the
research community? This presentation is intended to be “food for
thought”; helping individuals to focus on how their daily
activities and general practices impact what others see or think
about the research community. It will include suggestions to aide
in the recognition, utilization and creation of positive impacts
toward opportunities we often encounter. I will share a few
personal motivation examples in a good faith effort to help extend
individual careers and boost the research community’s future.
Tetanus infection and successful implementation of preventative
vaccine program at Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC)
Ms. Kathrine Phillippi-Falkenstein, Tulane National Primate
Research Center Tetanus is a naturally occurring disease that
affects both captive and free-ranging populations of macaques.
Prior to 2004, the incidence rate for tetanus in the macaque
breeding colonies at TNPRC ranged from 2.21 to 2.91 cases per
population of 1000 with a case fatality of 72.2%. In 2004, there
was a sharp increase in the incidence of tetanus (6.23 cases per
population of 1000) and case-fatality (82.5%). This spike coincided
with increased construction at the facility. Most cases occurred in
October through December which coincides with the rhesus monkey
breeding season. Monkeys affected were predominately 5 to 7 year
old females. In response to this outbreak, a preventative vaccine
program was implemented. All breeding colony animals greater than
two months of age were vaccinated with 0.5 mL equine tetanus toxoid
(Fort Dodge) intramuscularly during regularly scheduled
inventories. There has been a dramatic decline in the incidence of
tetanus (0.54 cases per population of 1000).
20 AALAS District VII
Biocontainment- Easier Said Then Done Mr. Michael G. Sidelsky, Sr.,
Allentown, Inc. Using technology developed over almost a decade ,
tried and true methods for achieving biocontainment of rodents has
evolved in this steadily growing area. The trick is utilizing not
only the equipment, but also the procedures, methods, materials,
and techniques. Attention to detail is an important facet of
implementation of any successful venture in biocontainment. A well
trained workforce and end users is essential. That old acronym
“KIKO” still applies to this day. KIKO or Keep In Keep Out is not
only applicable to breeding,quarantine, and non- infectious disease
animal research, but especially to biocontainment. Simple to follow
procedures and technique will be presented. They in turn will be
incorporated in a comprehensive program of traffic, both human and
animal, control policy. As will flow patterns for materials and
equipment both clean and dirty. Decontamination of equipment by
VHP, chemical, and steam autoclave as options will also be
presented Increasing Rodent Cage Density in Existing Rooms Mr. Don
Daniels, Alternative Design Maximizing rodent density is a major
issue for many vivariums. The demand for research is outpacing the
animal holding space available plus ever increasing new
construction, renovation and equipment investment costs are adding
to the density strain. Don Daniels will review the questions a
facility needs to answer when considering an increase in rodent
density, including the balance between density and ergonomics. He
will also review what various caging manufacturers are doing to
help resolve animal room density problems. PlasTek – A Star
Trekers’ Look at Lab Animal Plastics Mr. Gordon Yee, Ancare, Inc.
Plastics – its life-long mission to house mice, and withstand
chemical degradation. To boldly be autoclaved as no plastic has
been autoclaved before! This is an entertaining and educational
look at the plastics used every day in the lab animal environment.
Covering the majority of polymers currently available, we will
discuss their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their respective
subjectivity to both physical and chemical attack. A great way to
determine just why bottles are hazing, cages are cracking, or
plastics are breaking-down overall, attendees will walk out with a
smile and a clearer understanding of how to make plastic products
live long and prosper. The Role of Cage Location on Stereotypical
Behavior in Adult, Male, Singly Caged Cynomolgus Macaques Krystine
Potter, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute We believe cage
location effects animal behavior. When a macaque exhibits abnormal
behavior including stereotypies, the first thing one does is change
the cage location in a room. This can be as simple as a movement
from a lower cage to an upper cage. We’ve been doing this at LRRI
and it appears successful; however, we decided to put this into a
study form so we could measure the changes we believed we were
seeing and statistically evaluate its effectiveness. Our study
involved adult male singly housed cynomolgus macaques in a standard
laboratory setting. If an animal exhibited abnormal behavior, their
behavior was documented using a generic behavior frequency data
sheet. Then the animal was moved to a better location (upper cage
or away from an aggressive conspecific, etc.) and re-evaluated by
the same observer at 5 days and 10 days post movement. The before
and after behaviors were compared using a statistical test and the
results showed a significant difference between the behaviors
before and after moving them to a different location . Our
conclusion is that cage location strongly impacts behavior in
macacques and should be the first thing done when an animal shows
stereotypical or abnormal behavior.
2007 Meeting Program 21
Taking Some of the Mystery out of Imaging Ms. Belinda Rivera,
Baylor College of Medicine The increasing use of imaging equipment
in research facilities is prompting more questions than answers for
animal care personnel. Information such as, equipment capability,
cost, animal preparation, and safety concerns on several of the
most common imaging modalities will be presented along with answers
to some of the most commonly asked questions. Increasing AALAS
Certification – Lexicon’s Success Story Ms. Belinda Proctor,
Lexicon Genetics, Incorporated Lexicon Genetics is a
biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development
of breakthrough treatments for human disease. We are systematically
discovering the physiological and behavioral functions of genes to
identify potential points of therapeutic intervention, or drug
targets. Lexicon’s Vivarium Operations Department plays a critical
role in this process by providing healthy animal models to our
researchers. We believe that hiring capable people; providing
employees with competent, knowledgeable supervision, good
on-the-job training; and increasing AALAS certification allows us
to provide the highest quality of care to our laboratory animals.
AALAS certification is a professional, expert endorsement of an
individual’s level of knowledge in Laboratory Animal Science.
Lexicon assists eligible employees in obtaining AALAS certification
by providing an effective AALAS Certification Training Program.
This program has been very successful by assisting 73 (63 ALAT, 8
LAT, 2 LATG) employees become AALAS certified. This presentation
summarizes Lexicon’s process and outcome of building a successful
certification training program (lessons learned and methods that
work) and will hopefully provide enough information, ideas, and
encouragement for others to develop their own successful AALAS
Certification Program and increase AALAS certification at their own
institutions. Inreach/Outreach: The who, what, when, where, how and
why YOU must get involved! Ms. Lorraine Hough, Texas Society for
Biomedical Research Has this ever happened to you? You run into an
old high school friend you haven’t seen in years and they ask, “So
what do you do for a living?” and you’re not quite sure what to
say? Your kid comes home from school and says “hey Mom/Dad we are
having a career day will you come speak to my class”? Ever
recognize someone at the grocery store, but you just don’t know
from where? Then, after a few moments, realize that you work for
the same institution but you are reluctant to say which department
you work in? If you have found yourself in any of these or similar
situations you are not alone. But why should you, an integral
member of a research team working to eliminate pain, suffering and
disease be reluctant to profess your occupation with pride? Perhaps
it is just a lack of the right messaging and outreach training
which is exactly what you will get by attending this session.
Lorraine Hough, Executive Director of the Texas Society for
Biomedical Research and Gale Davy, Executive Director of States
United for Biomedical Research will provide an introduction to the
tools and mechanisms you need to make you into a competent and
effective educator and advocate for biomedical research and for
your profession. You must get involved! Chinchilla Challenges: Tips
on Biology, Housing, Handling, and Care Dr. Cheryl L. Haughton,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Chinchillas present some unique challenges in the research
environment. The following are tips on biology, housing, handling,
and care. Chinchillas are rodents native to the Andes mountains in
South America. They have stocky bodies with short legs, rounded
ears, long whiskers, a bushy tail, and a soft, dense coat. Known
for their charming temperament, ease of handling, and large
accessible eardrums, chinchillas are popular animals for auditory
studies. Preferred housing suits their needs of being able to jump,
climb, and be active. They are heat sensitive, so moderate
temperature and humidity is important. Heat stroke can be a
potentially fatal consequence of exposure to warmer
22 AALAS District VII
temperatures. With continuous teeth growth and a strong desire to
gnaw chinchilla requires social toys for good dental health. Dust
baths are part of the chinchilla’s rooming habit, being critical to
maintaining good appearance. Though generally inquisitive,
chinchillas can be shy, so acclimate them to routine handling. Fur
slip can result from inappropriate capturing and/or handling
procedures. A high fiber pelleted diet and fresh water are
essential for good health. Enteritis can result from poor
management practices. Knowledge of normal chinchilla biology and
behavior enables establishment of good care and management
practices to utilize chinchillas well in research. Humane Endpoints
for Nonhuman Primates in Biomedical Research Dr. Rick Lee,
Alamogordo Primate Center Humane endpoints are criteria established
to determine when an animal is to be humanely euthanized or removed
from a study. The reason for developing humane endpoints is to
minimize the distress or suffering of research animals. However,
taking an animal off a study or premature euthanasia could
jeopardize the study results and potentially waste the life of
experimental animals. Nonhuman primates are used for various
experimental studies. By law, humane endpoints must be defined for
animals to reduce the severity and duration of unrelieved pain and
distress. Early endpoint criteria can be established by using a
scoring system to monitor several clinical signs and physiological
parameters in conjunction with noninvasive imaging techniques and
biomarkers. Therefore, the moribund state or death can be avoided
as endpoints, while allowing for the collection of essential
samples prior to a timely euthanasia. In addition, a clinical
policy should be established at each institution to address animals
that are not assigned to a protocol. Specific clinical and
experimental guidelines for nonhuman primate endpoints will be
presented. New Information on the Colonization and Transmission of
Bordetella bronchiseptica in Rabbits Dr. Stacy Pritt, Covance
Research Products, Inc. Bordetella bronchiseptica can be a common
inhabitant of the respiratory tract of laboratory rabbits. While
the organism can rarely be associated with respiratory disease in
rabbits, the vast majority of laboratory rabbits display no
clinical signs when colonized by the bacterium. This presentation
will focus on new information related to colonization and
transmission of B. bronchiseptica in rabbits. Hydrogen Peroxide
Vapor (HPV) decontamination of MD Anderson Cancer Center’s New
Animal Vivarium Mr. Adam Warner, Bioquell, Inc. This is a short
summary presentation that will talk about the recent
bio-decontamination at MD Anderson Cancer Center new barrier animal
facility using Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor (HPV). Significant time and
challenges all went into this project which will be highlighted
during the presentation and will help people going forward in
decontamination of their facility. In addition a short synopsis of
the recent advantages in room bio-decontamination using hydrogen
peroxide vapor will be covered. This will include a general
background of the technology, technical developments, material
compatibility, and efficacy. Rust in Your Water, or is it? Mr.
Scott Holmes, Edstrom Industries, Inc. With water quality becoming
an increasingly important factor in animal care and research it is
important to know the true root cause of any problems that arise.
Rusty water is a problem that many of us have experienced and
knowing the true root cause is necessary for the proper
treatment.
2007 Meeting Program 23
Look Past the Mouse; Investigating All Possibilities When Faced
with a Potential Outbreak Dr. Karen A. Tatum, Baylor College of
Medicine Center for Comparative Medicine An investigator conducting
electrophysical measurements on fresh mouse brain tissue noticed
multiple microscopic organisms floating in the recording chamber on
several occasions during testing. The organisms were only seen when
C57BL/6J wild type mice were tested, and only after the brain
slices were placed into the recording chamber. The organisms were
vermiform and approximately 2.5 to 3mm in length. The investigator
assumed that the source of the organisms was the brain tissue and
requested immediate health testing on his colony. The mice were
housed in a conventional facility in standard microisolator caging
with standard (non-autoclaved, non-irradiated) feed and bedding and
acidified water. The live mice were moved to a laboratory space
outside the vivarium within a few hours of euthanasia and testing.
Physical examination was performed on cage mates and on other
animals within the room and fecal samples, fur plucks and anal tape
samples were submitted for parasitology. Necropsy of a cage mate
was unremarkable both grossly and microscopically. Tissues from an
affected mouse were not made available. Several samples of
buffering media were submitted containing live specimens, and one
vial of formalin fixed specimens. The formalin fixed specimens and
digital photographs of live specimens were submitted to the Cornell
Diagnostic Laboratory for identification. Floor Care Mr. Dan
Riestenberg, Dur-A-Flex Presentation to include types of flooring
for the industry and the good and bad things that can be done.
Discussion on the types of cleaners used in the industry and how
they are used and what happens when things are not used correctly.
Laboratory Diet Formulation Methods – Clearing the Confusion Mr.
William Clarke, Animal Specialties And Provisions, LLC All animal
feed is formulated using one of only three possible methods. As in
any endeavor the understanding of the basic descriptive terms form
a foundation for further exploration of the subject. This
presentation will review the methods and how they are used in
formulating laboratory animal diets. Least cost formulas, fixed
formulas and controlled nutrition formulas each impart certain
characteristics to the final product and in some cases these terms
do not reflect the characteristics found in the diets themselves.
Understanding these methods will assist in determining the most
appropriate diet choice for use in a study. Animal Technician
Training for Impact Ms. Jamison L. Greaver, The University of Texas
Health Science Center at Houston Generating quality and
reproducible research results is the first priority for all animal
facilities. One facet of how this is achieved is exceptional animal
care. However, one hurdle common to all programs is conveying to
staff how critical they are for attaining this goal. Understanding
not only the “how” but also the “why” of accomplishing aspects of
their job should be incorporated into a training program. At UTHSC-
Houston, Technician Training Classes are offered on a weekly basis.
Presentations cover a variety of topics taken from AALAS
Certification Manuals, The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals, and current in-house standard operating procedures
(SOP’s). The biggest challenges are maintaining interest,
stimulating interaction and overcoming language barriers.
Innovative techniques have been instituted at UTHSC- Houston to
address these challenges. As a result, personnel at UTHSC-Houston
have taken greater personal interest in their work, have increased
morale, and also have enhanced job skills and performance. The
results of these efforts have been of tremendous benefit to
research outcomes at our institution.
24 AALAS District VII
Design Features of the LSRB Animal Facility at UT Southwestern Dr.
Gordon Brackee, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at
Dallas UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas has just completed
design of a new mouse barrier facility to be called the “Laboratory
Support Research Building”. This 68,000 sf structure will house
four floors dedicated to animal holding, procedure rooms, and
support areas that include cage washers, autoclaves, and vaporized
hydrogen peroxide chambers. Design features will be discussed
including commercial and non-commercial animal entrances,
quarantine design that incorporates an autoclave and a triple-door
airlock passage, redundancy of cagewash and autoclave equipment,
design of animal holding rooms associated with procedure rooms, and
a personnel entrance featuring mandatory use of air showers. We
will also discuss the selection of cagewash and autoclave equipment
based on throughput calculations, and planned use of vaporized
hydrogen peroxide sterilization as an adjunct to autoclave
sterilization. Welcome to Utah: It’s Not What You Think” Ms. Lea
Bitner, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston In
August of 2006, Lab Products Inc. honored me with the District VII
Lab Products, Inc., Outstanding Technician Award. Along with the
opportunity to attend the National AALAS meeting in Salt Lake City
came a commitment to further the mission of AALAS. I hope that this
presentation will encourage others to join the National Association
for Laboratory Animal Science, step out of their comfort zones,
open their horizons to new career possibilities, and become excited
about learning. Preventing Cross Contamination of Genotyping
Samples Through Effective Ms. Pamela Huskey, University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center Smithville This project sought to determine
a reliable decontamination method for instruments used during
collection of DNA- yielding materials, such as tail snips or ear
punches, from multiple animals. Although infrequent, our campus
genotyping service occasionally detects that as much as 45% of the
samples in a group have crossover contamination. We discovered
various sample collection methods were in use across laboratories
and operators, so we compared the decontamination effectiveness of
ten various procedures. A total of 120 tail snips were collected,
using a single #15 surgical blade per group of samples collected.
The blade was subjected to physical wiping (2-4 strokes) plus a
series of treatments (Groups 1-5) vs. the same series of treatments
(Groups 6-10) without physical wiping of the blade after cutting
the tail snip. Group 1- Tail, wipe blade with paper towel Group 2-
Tail, wipe blade with paper towel, hot bead (250 degrees C) Group
3- Tail, wipe blade with paper towel, dip in 70% isopropyl alcohol,
hot bead Group 4- Tail, wipe blade with paper towel, dip in 10%
dilution of household bleach, hot bead Multiplexed Diagnostic
Testing: Ensuring the Quality of Your Diagnostic Testing Results
Dr. Joe H. Simmons, Charles River Laboratories, Inc. Serodiagnostic
testing forms the backbone of most laboratory animal health
monitoring programs. Traditionally, these assays have been
performed by the indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
or by the indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) test. While these
assays work well, they are labor intensive, require a relatively
large volume of serum, and extensive assay controls are
infrequently performed. The Luminex Corporation has introduced a
new technology, XMAP, to multiplex many assays and assay internal
controls together into a single reaction, thus ensuring the
suitability and quality of results for every assay that is
performed. This talk will introduce the audience to XMAP technology
and it will describe how Charles River Research Animal Diagnostic
Services has used this technology to develop the Multiplexed
Fluorometric Immunoassay (MFIA) for serodiagnostic testing of
laboratory rodents and nonhuman primates.
2007 Meeting Program 25
A Business Plan for Animal Care Facilities in a Contract Research
Laboratory Mr. Frank N. Ali, Lovelace Respiratory Research
Institution Pharmaceutical and major manufacturing companies who
have stockholders in a profit industry have a business plan on how
to increase sales, production, and net return. Since animal care in
research facilities are service-oriented and the end product is a
healthy animal, a satisfied investigator, and a successful
experiment; it is a challenge on how to develop a business plan,
measure the milestones, and accomplishments or in Wall Street
terms; the net gain and return on investments. In a contract
research operation whether a non-profit or not for profit funds are
generated for doing contract services through funded projects by
clients. Invivo studies are a major part of a project and the care
and welfare of the animals can be the difference between a
successful project or a project which may have to repeated because
there were too many variables in the study to have valid results
and a reasonable conclusion Our company’s current business plan is
to complete 100% of our projects on time for our clients with as
few variables as possible. Over 60% of the project’s completed
involve the use of animals. Therefore it is imperative that the
Comparative Medicine Department, in which animal care is part of
develop a business plan with measurable goals and milestone. In
this abstract I will present an overview of the business plan and
the importance of the animal care staff as major participants of
the business plan. This business plan included job enrichment,
expectations, responsibilities, accountability for the animal care
staff. This business plan enhances training in areas beyond basic
animal care to include technical toxicology duties and select agent
studies. Animal care staff trained to provide in addition to animal
care husbandry technical services has enhanced the animal care
program and commitment by animal care staff. Immunopharmacotherapy
Safety Testing in Laboratory Animals Dr. Paul Langner, Alamogordo
Primate Center Recent adverse reactions with compounds such as
TGN1412 have prompted attention to safety considerations on the
part of immunologist, pharmacologists and chemists. The striking
and nearly lethal effects of TGN1412 were, it is reported, due to
an interspecies incompatibility (Humans and nonhuman primate used)
of 38% of the amino acids in the receptor to the experimental
antibody. Current investigations are under consideration for using
phylogenetically higher species prior to clinical trials of such
immunoreactive compounds. One of these is an anti-ghrelin vaccine
aimed regulates energy balance and is aimed at preventing obesity,
now a world-wide epidemic. The initial work with this in rats will
be reviewed and additional studies prior to the use on non-human
primates will be discussed, with emphasis on considerations of
safety beginning at the level of molecular structure. All animals
described are maintained in AAALAC-I accredited facilities
Outsourcing Branch Management – Is this the best way? Mr. Brian
Gillman, Pharmacal Research Labs, Inc./Texas Branch AALAS Those of
us in Branch Management are seeking new and better ways of managing
Branch operations. With all of us busier that ever, and as Branches
continue to grow in size and sophistication, we need better methods
of achieving Branch goals. Last year, Texas Branch contracted with
a professional meeting planner to assist with all the issues of
running an annual meeting. This year, TBAALAS outsourced management
of the TBAALAS
26 AALAS District VII
POSTER ABSTRACTS Managing Stereotypic Behavior Through Social and
Environmental Changes for A Male Chimpanzee Ms. D. Hernandez,
Alamogordo Primate Center Social and environmental conditions are
an important aspect of a captive chimpanzee’s psychological
well-being. At the Alamogordo Primate Facility, a non-research
facility, we strive to provide the best possible living conditions
for out colony of 228 chimpanzees. Sometimes this involves moving
an animal from one social situation to another or from changing
their housing conditions. Merle, a 24 year old male chimpanzee, has
been one of our most challenging cases. He exhibits noticeable
stereotypic behaviors, and some mildly self-injurious behavior. He
also has limited chimpanzee social skills and has almost never been
seen interacting with his chimpanzee cage mates. Merle was
nursery-reared and is reported as being a normal chimpanzee baby.
He was sent to another facility for a study at one year of age and
was returned four years later. Other animals in that study appeared
normal behaviorally, but Merle’s stereotypic behaviors were noticed
shortly after his return to our colony. We have tried different
housing situations in our efforts to reduce or eliminate his
stereotypic behavior. Our on-going efforts focus on finding a
compatible female as a social partner for Merle, in order to
provide him the opportunity for normal species- appropriate
behaviors. Progression of Loss of Glucose Tolerance in Female NOD
Mice Mr. Dewan Haque, Genzyme NOD mice have been used as the major
model for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) research since the
discovery of their natural development of T1DM. As more becomes
known about T1DM in humans, the fasting blood glucose level that
represents a healthy individual continues to drop. T1DM is known to
progress more rapidly and completely in female NOD mice than in
their male counterparts therefore they were utilized in this study.
We evaluated this diabetic threshold in female NOD mice by
monitoring a cohort from 10 weeks of age till loss of glucose
tolerance (GTT). Each mouse was monitored weekly for non-fasted
blood glucose, 12 hr fasted blood glucose and then corresponding
GTT profile. Fasting blood glucose was not a predictive indicator
of GTT and the non-fasted blood glucose that corresponded with a
decrease in GTT was surprising lower than the levels we expected.
Cryopreservation as a tool for optimizing animal use in transgenic
facilities Dr. Jan Parker-Thornburg, University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center Houston The production of genetically
engineered mice is a complex process, requiring careful timing of
hormone administration, growth of embryonic stem cells (for
generating chimeras), fertile stud males and availability of
pseudopregnant females at the correct gestational stage. Rarely are
optimal conditions achieved for each of these steps, generally
resulting in less than ideal final results. We have streamlined two
of the most difficult of these steps using cryopreservation. We
were able to demonstrate that morulae that are cryopreserved and
subsequently thawed and cultured to blastocyst stage are suitable
hosts for embryonic stem cell injections. This alleviates the
commonplace problem of not having sufficient numbers of blastocysts
for injection. In addition, we are beginning to utilize
vitrification as a procedure to preserve fertilized, one-cell
embryos, and have shown that they will survive to birth. The
implications of this latter experiment are that embryos from rarely
used strains for injection can be obtained over a period of several
months in large numbers for use at any subsequent timepoint.
Additional uses for cryopreservation include freezing embryos for
later implantation when insufficient numbers of females are
available for implant as well as freezing embryos for shipping to
offsite facilities.
2007 Meeting Program 27
The Impact of an Animal Care Technician on Scientific Studies Ms.
J.L. Sharp, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute Our
presentation evaluates the synchrony of departments required for
studies using knockout mice in a whole body cigarette smoke
exposure. The study must be orchestrated from breeding commencement
to animal exposure. The study is initiated when selected knockout
mice are set up as trios (2 females, 1 male) and ear tagged for
identification. Large breeder cages are used to provide adequate
room for multiple litters. After the litters are weaned, we ear tag
the offspring and take tail samples for genotyping. The selected
genotyped animals are transferred to aerosol chambers used to
conduct whole body exposures. In this study multiple chambers are
used to expose the mice to side stream smoke and ovalbumin. The
study mice are first acclimated in a control chamber then moved
into the appropriate exposure chamber. Maps are created for each
chamber to track and identify each mouse by location. After
exposures are completed the mice are removed for tissue harvest and
analyses. Without careful attention to the details of breeding and
the movement and identification of the mice for each study group,
the study could not be successfully completed. When technicians
works together towards one combined effort, PI’s have there
reliable information they need for critical study results. “Swiss
Roll”- It’s Not for Breakfast Ms. Karin Bailey, University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston This poster will present the
importance of the “Swiss Roll” technique in identifying the
presence of pinworms in the cecum and colon of laboratory rodents.
The methods of collecting the colon and cecum during a necropsy to
make a “Swiss Roll” will be discussed. Both species of pinworms
that affect laboratory mice, Aspiculuris tetraptera and Syphacia
obvelata, can be detected with this non- survival technique. At MD
Anderson, we perform this technique on our sentinel mice to insure
accurate pinworm diagnosis. The Ultimate Pooper Scooper Ms.
Kimberly Bonnet, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston This poster will focus on the techniques involved in
collecting fecal samples in laboratory mice and the importance of
quantity and freshness of the sample. This form of collection is a
survival method used to view the Aspiculuris tetraptera species of
pinworm in a fecal smear. The methods of collecting fecal samples
will be displayed and the results of an adequate and inadequate
sample collection will be described. This type of collection is
performed at MD Anderson to quickly and accurately diagnose
pinworms in sentinel and colony mice. Chimpanzees Gone Wild Over
Enrichment! Ms. Teresa Flores, Alamogordo Primate Center
Chimpanzees are highly intelligent animals who become easily bored
with the same routine enrichment. It is very important to
continually stimulate the animals by changing the type and form of
enrichment thus helping the animals to stay healthy and happy.
Enrichment can benefit animals in many ways such as: Can be used in
form of positive reinforcement which helps the animal cooperate
more with training, presenting for injections or other procedures.
Can help an animal with abnormal behavior to concentrate on the
enrichment rather than the behavior. Can assist a geriatric animal
who is reluctant to move around because of health issues such as
obesity, or cardiac disease. Reduces aggressive behavior which
helps with less fights or injuries in a group. It is just simply
pleasing and fulfilling. Enrichment does not only enrich animals,
it can help enrich the people working around them. Chimpanzees tend
to get very excited and do funny things when receiving enrichment,
which can lead to a good laugh and a good day for the
technician.
28 AALAS District VII
Streamlining International Rodent Shipments Mr. Mansa Melvin,
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas The
objective of this poster is to inform personnel of the regulations
and documentation needed to organize an international shipment of
research rodents. This will mainstream the shipping Process and
expedite international transports, better serving Principle
Investigators (PI’s) and their research. The Following key factors
are important in organizing an import/export: Assign a tracking
number to help with organization and communication between the PI,
shipping coordinators and veterinary staff. Create documents such
as a health letter, a commercial invoice, and USDA form, if needed,
to submit to the courier company. Double-check information you are
providing, since some countries are strict with their paperwork and
will reject shipment if incorrect. Four major documents needed to
ship rodents overseas are USDA form #17-140, Materials Transfer
Agreement (MTA), Commercial Invoice and a Health Letter. The USDA
also requires a $24 check for the USDA/APHIS VS (veterinary
service) certificate. Additionally, country “specific” requirements
will be discussed. Organize the shipment, keeping in mind
expiration dates on health certificates, needs of PIs and age of
rodents. By following these guidelines, arranging a shipment can be
streamlined to meet the needs for all involved. Improving The
Health Care of Chimpanzees: The Technicians Role Mr. P. Barajas,
Alamogordo Primate Center Because Chimpanzees have a 98.4 percent
DNA homology with humans, they have been used for important
research models such as Human Immuno Deficiency Virus and Hepatitis
viruses. Research veterans are not euthanized for ethical reasons,
but require health care and monitoring due to the infectious
status. We have a moral obligation to provide the best health care
possible. Animal technicians play a critical role in animals care,
daily observations, assisting with clinical procedures and
administering medications. Chimpanzees are very intelligent, can
weigh up to 90.0 kilograms and can be hazardous to work with. With
improved health care, we can enhance the chimpanzee’s quality of
life and care for them in a responsible and humane manner. My Trip
To The National AALAS Meeting As Lab Products’ Technician of the
Year 2005 For District 7. Ms. Deborah Minor, Pennington Biomedical
Research Center Lab Products Technician of the year award is an
excellent way for technicians to experience the National AALAS
meeting arena. Through this endowment one person from each district
including Canada receive travel, lodging, and a perdiem for
technicians who have never attended a National meeting. This
presentation is from the District 7 2005 recipient of this award.
The events, opportunities, and the total experience will be shared
with fellow technicians. Cost Efficient Humidity Monitoring: Is
Your Facility Really at 55% RELATIVE HUMIDITY?? Ms. Cindy Kloster,
Pennington Biomedical Research Center What is a facility manager to
do when humidity is out of control…or is it really out of control
and how can we answer this question? The Guide to the Care and Use
of Laboratory Animal recommends that animal room relative humidity
“should generally be maintained between 30-70%” with 10-15 fresh
air changes per hour. These factors combine to create a daunting
engineering task to maintain this standard in south Louisiana where
outdoor relative humidity regularly fluctuates between 70% and ≥
90%. In an aging animal facility without a modern, computer-
assisted environmental monitoring/control system managers must
devise a consistent and efficient mechanism for monitoring relative
humidity. Facility managers must validate both the extent and
frequency unacceptable relative humidity levels in animal rooms.
This presentation will describe one facility’s approach using
portable humidity recording devices and a central environmental
control system to document animal room relative humidity
2007 Meeting Program 29
fluctuations, relate those to outdoor relative humidity
fluctuations, and in collaboration with facilities management begin
to address this common animal facility problem. Training Non-human
Primates to Jump from Cage to Cage Mr. Frankie Anders, Tulane
National Primate Research Center This poster will explain how we
train non-human primates to jump from cage to cage instead of
anesthetizing them to change out the room. The process depends on
the ability of the trainer and willingness of the non-human primate
to cooperate. It depends on the non-human primate to determine how
long the process will take place. Some non-human primates take
longer than others and some do not jump. Post-surgical Recovery of
Non-human Primates at the Tulane National Primate Research Center
Mr. Reafa Bickham, Tulane National Primate Research Center This
poster will explain how we recover non-human primates from surgery
at Tulane National Primate Research Center. When the non-human
primate returns back to the building the animal care technician
puts the non- human primate in a holding place to be monitored.
They write down the time when the non-human primate recovers,
including removing the endotracheal tube and when the animal is
sitting up. Environmental Enrichment in a Minipig Production
Facility Ms. Debra Phillips, Marshall BioResources Environmental
enrichment promotes the physical and psychological well being of
laboratory swine and can be provided by a variety of enrichment
devices and socialization. In a natural environment pigs spend most
of their time foraging and eating. They root an average of 60 times
over a 24 hour period. Effective enrichment devices for Gottingen
Minipigs stimulate the species’ natural instinctive behaviors of
rooting and chewing. Durable and safe enrichment toys include
manipulative devices such as suspended stainless steel chains, hard
plastic balls, and plastic jugs. Species-adequate housing and
handling is not only a safeguard for the well-being of the animals
but also a prerequisite for sound scientific research. In a natural
environment, swine live in maternal groups’ of 3 to 5 sows with
some juveniles. Gottingen Minipigs should be housed in groups when
possible to account for their strong social disposition. Gottingin
Minipig sows are provided with large farrowing pens to allow them
sufficient space to nurse, walk, and stretch. No additional
physical restriction is made for farrowing and floor mats are
provided for increased comfort. All pens are provided with radiant
heated floors and heat lamps for the piglets. Music is played in
animal rooms to provide auditory enrichment. Gottingen Minipigs
enjoy regular positive human contact in their home pens. New
Information on the Colonization and Transmission of Bordetella
bronchiseptica in Rabbits Dr. Stacy Pritt, Covance Research
Products Bordetella bronchiseptica can be a common inhabitant of
the respiratory tract of laboratory rabbits. While the organism can
rarely be associated with respiratory disease in rabbits, the vast
majority of laboratory rabbits display no clinical signs when
colonized by the bacterium. This presentation will focus on new
information related to colonization and transmission of B.
bronchiseptica in rabbits. Improving Methods of Oral Nicotine
Self-Administration Mr. A. P. McMickle, Arkansas State University
Investigations of voluntary oral nicotine self-administration in
rodents has relied heavily on a standard 2-bottle choice procedure
wherein subjects are given free access to 2 bottles, one containing
water and one containing a
30 AALAS District VII
nicotine solution. This method has proven a useful model in mice
showing they consume significant amounts of nicotine solution and
demonstrate a clear preference for it suggesting the development of
preference and dependency. This method, however, has been less
fruitful for studying rats. Although there is evidence that rats
will self-administer nicotine, there are concerns over rats’
general tendencies to (1) fail to develop a preference for a
nicotine solution over water; (2) avoid concentrations that mice
readily consume. Both of these findings lead to serious concerns
over limits on nicotine bioavailability and impact due to rat’s
inadequate levels of nicotine. However, the advantages inherent in
the oral model make salvaging its use with rats a worthwhile
endeavor. Recent data from our lab indicate that the limited intake
problem with a 2-bottle procedure can be bypassed using a multiple
bottle approach. Further, the multiple bottle method has also
allowed us to demonstrate a willingness to drink higher
concentrations than rats will drink in the 2 bottle procedure. A
Modification to a Common BAL Technique to Enhance Sample Diagnostic
Value. Ms. Elizabeth Scanlon, Tulane National Primate Research
Center Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a diagnostic tool frequently
used for clinical and research purposes in non-human primates.
Although many institutions use this procedure, the technique is not
standardized. The purpose of this study was to compare the most
commonly used instillation/aspiration technique at the TNPRC with a
new experimental technique to see if it would increase the
diagnostic value of the BAL samples. The standard method used at
the TNPRC is to attach a syringe directly to the working channel of
the bronchoscope. The experimental method involved attaching
intravenous tubing between the syringe and the working channel of
the bronchoscope. This presentation will describe any notable
differences between the two techniques. Tips, Suggestions &
Communication Issues for Importing and Exporting Rodents Mr. Gary
J. Barron, Washington University School of Medicine Here at
Washington University School of Medicine, the program for
overseeing the transportation of unique and transgenic and knockout
strains of rodents has increased significantly in scope and volume
during the last 5 years. We have assigned a permanent coordinator
for this program, whose main function is to ensure all of the
shipments run smoothly and fulfill all regulations. This
presentation discusses all of the forms, documents, and types of
communication needed to run this complex. Undergraduate
Opportunities in Animal Care and Research at Arkansas State
University Ms. C.J. Sockey, Arkansas State University As an
undergraduate in the ASU animal care facility, I have learned a
unique set of skills and have gained valuable insight into the
world of scientific research. While working on my bachelor’s degree
in Mid-level Education at Arkansas State University, I began
working part-time as an animal technician in the animal care
facility. This facility is located in the Arkansas Biosciences
Institute, which (according to the brochure) is “an agricultural
and medical research consortium dedicated to improving the health
of Arkansans”. Although I was vaguely aware that scientific
research was the focus here and that some of that work involved
animals, I had no ideal that I could play an important role in
assisting in that research or that I would enjoy it so much. I am
impressed not only by the caliber of work that is being done, but
also by the opportunities which it presents for ASU students. To my
surprise, a large number of the student researchers are not
graduate students, but undergraduates like me. In this poster I
would like to highlight the animal husbandry I do that supports
this research, as well as some of the projects in which the
undergraduate students are involved.
2007 Meeting Program 31
for TBAALAS members!
There are plenty more free accounts available, so sign up
today!
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are waiting for YOU!! To request
a username and password to get started with your account, e-mail
Kelly Campbell, ALL Coordinator:
[email protected]
Once enrolled, you will be prompted to customize your username,
password, and personal profile. Questions may be answered in the
FAQ section of the library, or e-mail Kelly.
The Consolidation of ResearchTraining.org into the AALAS Learning
Library Dr. Stacy Pritt, Covance Research Products Building on its
five year history of collaboration, the Veterans Administration's
training website ResearchTraining.org will be consolidated with the
AALAS Learning Library starting May 1. This will provide
ResearchTraining.org users with many advantages including access to
dozens of online training modules and exceptional customer support.
This poster will provide an overview of the consolidation process,
timetable for major benchmarks, advantages and changes for current
ResearchTraining.org users, course topics, and user fees. The Use
of LabGel-PE™ as a Delivery Medium for Medication in Captive
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Ms. Theresa Flores, Alamogordo
Primate Facility Administering medication to captive chimpanzees
can be a difficult and challenging process. The preferred route of
delivery is oral. However, due to the intelligence and curiosity of
these animals, masking the taste of certain medicines can cause
difficulties. LabGel-PE™ (primate enrichment) can provide a quick
and useful medium to deliver medications to great apes and
non-human primates. Enrofloxacin (Baytril®) 34mg was combined with
LabGel- PE™ and administered to 41 chimpanzees (24 males and 17
females) at three different time periods. Enrofloxicin was used
because the taste and smell of the drug has been the primary
deterrents in dosing chimpanzees with the antibiotic. Preliminary
results show that LabGel-PE™ can be an effective delivery medium
for certain chimpanzees that will not take oral medications in
fruits or juice. Additionally, a sugar-free version of LabGel-PE™
may be used as enrichment or a novel way to administer medicine to
Type II diabetic primates.
32 AALAS District VII
WORKSHOP Congratulations – You are Now a Manager! Dr. Ann Turner
American Association for Laboratory Animal Science This workshop
combines a sprinkling of management theory with a smidgen of
management practice and a whole lot of experiential learning.
Topics to be discussed include everything from “Why Would Anyone
Want to Be a Manager?” to “Conducting Effective Performance
Appraisals” with a lot of ifs, ands, and buts in between. We will
explore employee recruitment, hiring and firing, absenteeism,
motivation, goal setting and evaluation, dealing with sensitive
issues (like BO), harassment, teamwork – just about everything
except legal issues – you need a lawyer for that. There will be
some lecture, a few real life decision making exercises, take home
handouts, many questions; and, hopefully, solid answers about the
day to day events in the life of one who manages people. I can’t
promise you will be a better manager after this workshop; however,
I’m pretty sure you will not fall asleep!
WET LAB Parasites: The Long and Short of It Dr. Mark J. McArthur
Michale E. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research
This workshop will be designed to familiarize technicians with
potential parasites of animals under their care. Gross specimens
will be provided along with glass slides of parasites in tissue
sections. There will be a discussion of parasite life cycles,
intermediate hosts, and the potential interference of parasites
with research.
ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION Issues in Transgenic Rodent Production Ms.
Traci Reddick & Ms. Kim Hildreth University of Texas Health
Science Center San Antonio This round-table will be to discuss
current methods, problems and solutions of transgenic rodent
production. Topics to include pro-nuclear injection, lentiviral
infection, embryonic stem cell injection, colony maintenance and
management, and crypreservation. It will also be used to help
develop a network of District 7 facilities involved in the
production, care and maintenance of transgenic rodents.
2007 Meeting Program 33
Alternative Design Mfg. Ancare
Animal Care Systems Animal Lab News
Animal Specialties And Provisions Art's-Way Scientific, Inc.
BH Biomedical Solutions, Inc. Biomedical Solutions, Inc.
Cedar Creek AME, Inc. Charles River Laboratories
Charm Sciences Clordisys Solutions Inc
Colonial Medical Supply Covance Research Products Data Sciences
International
Dur-A-Flex Inc Edstrom Industries, Inc
E-Z Systems / Euthanex Corp. Getinge USA
Girton Manufacturing Co Harlan
Innovive, Inc. InterMetro Industries
LATA
LGL Animal Care Products, Inc. Life Science Products, Inc Lynx
Product Group, LLC
Matrix Scientific, LLC MedWaste Solutions
NTM, Inc. P.J. Murphy Forest Products
Perkins+Will Pharmacal Research Labs Inc.
Primate Products, Inc. Protech International, Inc.
Purina LabDiet Quip Laboratories, Inc.
RADIL (Research Animal Diagnostic Lab) Rees Scientific Corp
Research Diets, Inc.
Rules-Based Medicine Scimetrics, Inc.
Superior Laboratory Services Taconic
Tecniplast The Jackson Laboratory
VWR International Wheaton Science Products
World Courier, Inc.
May 9-11, 2006
Title Presenter Time