DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Agricultural Species

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1 DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE STANDARDS Agricultural Species Bart Carter DVM DACLAM University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

2 About me DVM from University of Missouri Large animal veterinarian in private practice for 9 yrs. Lab animal residency at University of Missouri MS degree working with cloned and transgenic pigs Assistant Director OAR at Missouri Director ARF - Kansas State University Director Animal Resources - UT Southwestern Medical Center Former AAALAC ad hoc consultant and current AAALAC Council on Accreditation member

3 Use of Agricultural Animals Biomedical research Medical device testing Drug / product development Training of surgeons Imaging techniques Oncology treatments Human nutritional research Agricultural research Food and fiber research

4 Miniature Swine The agricultural transition animal Demonstrate behavior similar to commercial swine Staff frequently treat them as dogs or pets Susceptible to all swine diseases

5 General Considerations for Using Agricultural Animals in Biomedical Research Herd animals Commercial breeds and crosses have been selected for rapid growth Young pigs gain pounds per day on full feed Calves gain pounds per day on full feed depending upon their age Sexually mature animals can be aggressive Their large size can make them a risk for personnel and equipment Their large size makes them a good model of the human condition

6 Methods of Housing Agricultural Animals Traditional Biomedical Facilities Pros Familiarity Lots of sealed surfaces that are easily sanitized Access to resources Cons Space may be limited fixed pen size Exercise opportunities are limited Species typical behaviors may be limited

7 Methods of Housing Agricultural Animals Agricultural Facilities Pros Designed for managing each species Variety of housing conditions available Handling equipment +/- Reduced cost Cons Wood and bare metal Dirt floors, slats or unsealed concrete floors Access to imaging, surgical facilities may be limited or require transport

8 Methods of Housing Agricultural Animals Outdoor pens or pasture Pros Lots of space Exercise opportunities Herd behavior Cons Less control over environment Exposure to parasites +/- disease exposure Observations may be more difficult Access to imaging, surgical facilities may be limited or require transport

9 Developing Agricultural Animal PS Individuals involved in developing performance standards (PS) must be familiar with the basic needs of the species of concern Veterinary staff IACUC Husbandry staff Research staff

10 The Ag Guide Published by Federation of Animal Science Societies (FASS) 2011 adopted by AAALAC as a primary reference Applicable to agricultural animals housed or utilized in either agriculture or biomedical research

11 How can the Ag Guide help me? Characteristics of animal well being are described including physical and psychological components Criteria for identifying inappropriate management and housing conditions Attempts made to be applicable to a variety of agricultural production systems and housing types Peer reviewed Well referenced

12 Concerns when developing an Ag Animal Performance Standard (PS)? Determining a way to maintain herd animals inside of a biomedical or agricultural facility Housing biomedical animals in a traditional farm setting Adaption of farm animal management techniques to the biomedical environment Applying enrichment and socialization The need for post-procedural care to these animals

13 What is an acceptable PS in agricultural animals? Minimizes the amount of stress the animals experience Allows them to make normal postural adjustments Allows them to exhibit species specific behavior Takes into consideration their desire to be in a herd Allows the animals to remain dry, at a comfortable temperature, and free of urine and fecal contamination Allows for appropriate data collection

14 What factors complicate the development of new PS for these animals? Genetic differences between groups of same species Growth rates / body size Temperament Health status of animals Scientific goals of the study Post surgical care catheters, bandages, medication administration, etc. Need for sample collection, diagnostic monitoring, or data collection

15 Examples of PS or situations that might result in a PS Biomedical facilities Ag facilities Pasture or lot

16 Animal Pen Size You have 5-100lb pigs 25 sq. ft. pens The Guide says 10 sq. ft. per animal for group housing House them or 2-3?

17 Animal Pen Size House them 2-3 All pigs can lay down and stretch out remaining clean and dry Desire to be group housed is met Additional feeder is added to pen

18 Farrowing Sows Traditional farrowing crate ~4 weeks confined to a 2 x 7 space Sow can lay on either side and stand up Sow can rest without having head on feeder Sanitation is limited in order to keep piglets warm and dry

19 Farrowing Sows Traditional farrowing crate Sows adjust to the housing with little training Enter ~1 week before farrowing Increases piglet survival Safely able to work with piglets Must be adjusted properly Experimental goals?

20 Farm Settings Pros Allow for group housing and herd behavior Normally provide more space per animal May allow for grazing or rooting behavior Cons Infectious disease and parasites Injury Difficult if not impossible to sanitize Daily treatments and observations may be harder

21 Housing Biomedical and Agricultural Animals Together in a Facility Institutions that have both types of animals of the same species may find themselves in this situation What is the PS? Does the presence of one negatively affect the other?

22 Housing Biomedical and Agricultural Animals Together in a Facility Health Status of the animals Sanitation schedules Clean and dry pigs

23 Husbandry PS Thermal comfort Humidity control Floor space Basic sanitation Reduced stress

24 Temperature Range Thermal Comfort Zone ( TCZ) -15 to 25ºC (5 to 82ºF) for cattle Sheep and goats with heavy wool or hair coat Animals adapted to low external temperature may show signs of heat stress at temperatures >50ºF

25 Temperature Range PS Temp range of 16-27ºC (61-81ºF) Certain animals may show evidence of heat stress in this range Monitor for heat stress and lower ambient temp Shear sheep before entering facility

26 Husbandry Ventilation In some agricultural type facilities the HVAC system is designed as a tunnel ventilation system Ventilation rates are set low in winter and up to 10x higher in summer. The flow of air is used to adjust temperature and humidity levels within the facility. Rates are also adjusted to compensate for the number of animals in the facility, ammonia levels, and the amount of bedding that may be present.

27 Husbandry Ventilation PS Ventilation rate can be more accurately determined by the size and number of animals, their age and diet, waste management system and atmospheric conditions 10 ACH may not be beneficial to animals under certain conditions

28 Poultry Group housing on a solid surface is preferred housing system Individual egg collection may require individual housing Moving in and out of a cage is stressful and risks injuring wings or legs

29 Poultry PS- If the cage does not have a visible buildup of feces and the pans underneath are changed frequently Do the birds need to be moved?

30 Farm Settings What is the PS for animals out on pasture or up in a confined lot? Space to exhibit normal behavior Space for timid animals to get away from aggressors Sufficient dry space is present Thermoregulation is addressed

31 Pasture or confined lot How do you evaluate the area? Feeders and waterers General physical plant maintenance Drainage Manure / waste management

32 Surgical Procedures Routine - castration, dehorning, beak trimming, tail docking, hoof trimming Medical emergency - C-section, DA PS - Performed as a normal ag mgt. practice or sterile surgery in a surgical suite? If routine procedures are performed as a normal ag practice, methods should be the least likely method to cause pain or distress, pain prevention should be utilized and techniques written in an SOP that is reviewed by AV and IACUC Medical emergencies and experimental surgeries should be performed as sterile surgical procedures and appropriate pain relief provided.

33 Blood / Tissue collection from a local slaughterhouse An option available for agricultural species that is not always considered IACUC protocol and oversight is not required No PS required 3Rs are in play

34 Blood / Tissue collection from a local farm What if a researcher needs fresh blood or tissue and no other source is available? Should they be required to obtain an animal solely for that purpose or can an arrangement be made to collect the sample from a local farmer? Now they need a sample every 30 days 3R s would apply IACUC protocol What standards apply to the animals? PS? that of a well managed farm

35 Handling and Transportation Handling How animals are touched, moved, and interacted with during husbandry procedures Transport How animals are moved by vehicles from one place to another Is there a PS that differs between biomedical and ag? ILAR Guidelines for the Humane Transportation of Research Animals

36 Health status issues If you deviate from traditional biomedical facility housing then vaccination, deworming etc. may be required Mixing of groups and exposure to open environment may expose animal to infectious diseases

37 Thank you