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Refining animal models in fracture research: seeking consensus in optimising both animal welfare and scientific validity for appropriate biomedical use

Jörg Andreas Auer, Allen E. Goodship, STEVEN PAUL ARNOCZKY, Simon G. Pearce, Jill Price, L. Claes, Brigitte von Rechenberg, Margarethe Hofmann-Amtenbrinck et al.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2007

140 citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In an attempt to establish some consensus on the proper use and design of experimental animal models in musculoskeletal research, AOVET (the veterinary specialty group of the AO Foundation) in concert with the AO Research Institute (ARI), and the European Academy for the Study of Scientific and Technological Advance, convened a group of musculoskeletal researchers, veterinarians, legal experts, and ethicists to discuss, in a frank and open forum, the use of animals in musculoskeletal research. METHODS: The group narrowed the field to fracture research. The consensus opinion resulting from this workshop can be summarized as follows: RESULTS & CONCLUSION: Anaesthesia and pain management protocols for research animals should follow standard protocols applied in clinical work for the species involved. This will improve morbidity and mortality outcomes. A database should be established to facilitate selection of anaesthesia and pain management protocols for specific experimental surgical procedures and adopted as an International Standard (IS) according to animal species selected. A list of 10 golden rules and requirements for conduction of animal experiments in musculoskeletal research was drawn up comprising 1) Intelligent study designs to receive appropriate answers; 2) Minimal complication rates (5 to max. 10%); 3) Defined end-points for both welfare and scientific outputs analogous to quality assessment (QA) audit of protocols in GLP studies; 4) Sufficient…

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