University of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterRobert M. Bird Library271-2285, ext. 48752http://library.ouhsc.edu

Searching for Animal Alternatives: Meeting the Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act

What is the IACUC’s role?

Support ethical researchReduce study duplicationReduce animal discomfortJustify species/number selectionAssure veterinary careEthical GuidelinesTrainingInspections and Reviews

Policy 11 deals with “Painful and Stressful Procedures.”

Policy 12 requires a “Written Narrative for Alternatives to Painful Procedures.”

Alternatives to be considered would include the "three R's“

reduction of the number of animals used refinement of procedures to lessen animal pain/distress replacement of research animals with less sentient species

or non-animal models.

The USDA considers a database search the best way to show that these requirements have been met.

APHIS Care and Use Policies Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Alternatives searches for duplicate studies

National Science Foundation

Red Flags in Alternatives Searches

Only one database searched No search strategy formulated Search terms not relevant to protocol Search terms and concepts linked

incorrectly Search doesn’t cover adequate time

period of 5-10 years

Bird Library Databases

Bookmark the library’s homepage Click on Ovid or E-Resources Choose a relevant database

Medline Web of Knowledge

Web of Science Current Contents

Agricola

What is Medline?

A database produced by NCBI and the National Library of Medicine.

A database within PubMed.(accessible from library homepage)

A database purchased by privately owned companies, who develop their own search interface (e.g., Ovid, Ebsco).

Ovid Medline Search SampleThe animal study, using dogs, will test a new device, an ultrasound balloon catheter, for pulmonary vein isolation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Web of Science Search Sample

Retaining a Search Strategy Print it from the database, attach to

protocol, retain a copy.

Save it within the database (request password for Ovid).

Request SDI’s, Auto-Alerts (especially for protocols over three years’ duration).

Online Resources AWIC-Animal Welfare Information Center Altweb – Alternatives to animal testing on the

web FRAME – Fund for the replacement of animals in

medical experiments Norina database – Norwegian inventory of

alternatives Wisconsin Primate Center

Academic Centers

UCCAA–University of California Center for Animal Alternatives

Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT)

Pre-formulated Search Strategies

Canned searches, hedges.

http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/Animal_Alternatives/protocol_ind.html

Planning to Request an Alternatives Search by a Reference Librarian

Communicate directly with the librarian

Show the librarian the protocol

Expect that the librarian will ask questions

Allow time for a thorough search

Library Education Opportunities Lunch ‘n Learns

Individual instruction

Email to bird-reference@ouhsc.edu

Telephone 271-2285, ext. 48752

Reference Librarians available

Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00