I: Background and Purpose
The IACUC must review all
projects using live vertebrate animals. According to NIH Office of Laboratory
Animal Welfare (OLAW), “live vertebrate animals” applies to egg-laying species
after hatching. With zebrafish, OLAW interprets the PHS Policy as vertebrate
animals at all stages of development three days post fertilization (3dpf). As
such, the IACUC must review and approve all projects using zebrafish embryos at
3dpf. Activities that utilize embryos of non-zebrafish, non-mammalian,
oviparous (egg-laying) species are not required.
II: Related policies
·
529-225: Custom Antibody Production Using
Animals at Off-Campus Facilities
·
529-271: Authority of the Attending Veterinarian
·
529-343: Substitution or Addition of Mouse
Strains
III: Policy
1. An Animal Use Protocol (AUP) must be submitted
via Kuali, for IACUC
review and approval for all projects using zebrafish embryos at 3 days post-fertilization.
2. If oviparous embryos hatch or embryos will be
extracted from live-bearing species, IACUC approval is required to cover the
adult animals or hatchlings.
3. Research with fertilized
non-zebrafish, non-mammalian embryos in the final one-third of incubation
requires correspondence with the IACUC Office (iacuc@ucr.edu)
which is then routed to the Campus veterinarian for review. Procedures should only
begin using these fertilized non-zebrafish, non-mammalian embryos once
confirmation from the IACUC Office is received. The correspondence should
include the following:
a) The
source of the embryos (e.g., obtained from commercial aviaries, collected in
the wild)
b) Species
c) Briefly
describe the procedures performed on embryos and the research goal
d) A
statement that confirms the lab will contact the OCV Veterinarian (951-827-5845)
should any egg hatch so that an appropriate euthanasia procedure can be
performed.
References
1.
PHS Policy on
Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals - faq
2.
Animal Welfare Act Regulations 9 CFR §2.31
3.
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory
Animals: Eighth Edition. Washington, DC
4.
NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-14-126 (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-14-126.html)
Approved: 12/16/2019; 9/20/2021; 8/14/23