2006A0030 was 2003A0035 - Immunological Studies in Rat and Mouse Spinal Cord Injury

2003A0035

732 rats and 570 mice will be killed in these experiments.

Injured animals are placed in restraint tubes to produce stress.

Induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis will occur with some of the rats and mice. This procedure creates an animal with limp tail, hindlimb paralysis, and ataxia (shaky movement and unsteady gait).

Producing the Spinal Cord Injury
The animal is moved to the injury device where it is placed on a platform within a metal frame holding 2 pairs of Allis forceps (rats) or cross action forceps (mice). The forceps are used to stabilize the vertebral column. The tip of an impact probe is lowered and the cord impacted by rapid downward displacement onto the cord resulting in an impact injury.
Some animals will receive a transection injury, where the spinal cord is cut with scissors and a small section of the cord is removed via suction.

Feb. 24, 2004 additional animals requested: 686 rats and 16 mice for seven new experiments.

2006A0030 replaces the old protocol

Animals approved include: MICE = 3,648 as well as 30 timed-pregnant mice and 60 mice as breeders with 1,200 progeny with 1,000 used in the experiments the other 200 killed.
RATS = 162

This protocol is funded via the National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke. Since May 2004 the funding has been for $1,147,608.00 for these experiments.

The experimental design remains pretty much as in the 2003 protocol.

updated: 8/7/06