ILACUC Highlights for February 2003

The February meeting brings the new protocol approvals to 25 new protocols ( 2"E" category, 1 deferred to March). Twenty-five amendment approvals in February to currently active protocols, some active back to 1997. The amendments increase the animals being used at OSU by:

35 rats and 2,329 mice. Note: these animals numbers are not counted in the OSU Animal Usage numbers. See the chart on the main OSU Research page for 2003 animal numbers.

New Protocols

03A0017 - Relaxation in Cardiac Myocytes: Diffrential Roles of Ca2+ and Cross-Bridge Strain - Philip A. Wahr - Pain Code=1C
This is a heart tissue harvest from 150 rats and 150 mice. The ILACUC vote for approval of this protocol was 10 For and 3 Against. The researcher says alternatives can not be used. "Attempts at culturing cardiac cells have been disappointing. Cultured adult hearts lose the regular structure of the freshly isolated adult cardiac myocyte within a few days. Consequently, there are no available cell lines which are suitable for this research."

03A0018 - Behavioral Phenotyping of Mice - Randy Nelson - Pain Code=3C
540 mice approved for usgae in this protocol. Identification of knockout mice concerning behavior. Looking at function of genes on behavior, motivated behavior, mating and aggression.

03A0019 - Ovariectomy/Estrogen Replacement Therapy in Rats - Peter Reiser - Pain Code=4D
This protocol, which started in 1997, was approved to use 144 additional rats. The lay abstract reads:

Possible cardioprotective effects of estrogen replacement therapy initiated just prior to imminent elective surgery remain unexplored. Therefore, clinically useful effects, such as minimizing mortality rates in woman undergoing elective heart surgery, through estrogen replacement therapy may exist." We wrote Dr. Reiser and continue waiting for a response. Here is that note:

I am writing in regard to your protocol #2003A0019. As this is a continuation from 1997, I was wondering if the focal point of your research had changed due to the Women's Health Initiative's report on estrogen replacement therapy? If a woman has been on ERT and blood levels are at the max and this does not provide any cardioprotective effect, how could replacement therapy initiated just prior to imminent elective surgery do any good?

03A0024 - Assessment of New Anti-Inflammatory Molecules by Trans Vivo DTH - Anne Van Buskirk - Pain Code=2D/E
Finally pain code will depend upon clarifications to footpad injections. A member of the committee noted that it would be easier ( and less painful ) to do in the ear.

120 SCID mice were approved for usage. Ever wonder about the creation of genetic mice?. A brief definition of the SCID mouse. Our view is to the development of this animal is a step backwards. "SCID mice are used as living test tubes for the growth of cells, tissues, and organs of other species, including humans. In essence, they are the animate equivalent of in vitro systems and ,in large part, can be replaced by such alternatives. ...(they) are inappropriate for drug testing due to such classic interspecific differences as metabolism, clearance and side effects." (John McArdle)

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These information above was taken from the OSU ILACUC minutes, protocols, and monitoring the OSU ILACUC committee.