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Animal Care Committee Approved ACC Policy Retro-Orbital Bleeding

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Purpose

In order to comply with government regulations (PHS and USDA) and the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC-I) and The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and standard veterinary care techniques, the University of Connecticut Health Center's Animal Care Committee has implemented a policy concerning retro-orbital eye bleeding.

Action

1. Investigators should consult with the Center for Laboratory Animal Care standard operating procedures regarding retro-orbital plexus bleeding.  Investigators should be proficient in the procedure or receive assistance from the CLAC veterinarians.
    
2. All animals must be appropriately anesthetized prior to performing the procedure unless exempted by the CLAC veterinarians.
    
3. Mouse:  Maximum blood collection volumes

• Weekly sampling (0.6% body weight)                             50μL  (25g mouse)
• Biweekly sampling (0.8% body weight)                         200μL  (25g mouse)
• Monthly sampling (no fluid replacement, 0.8%)            200μL  (25g mouse)
• Monthly sampling (with fluid replacement, 1.5%)          350μL  (25g mouse)

4. Rat:  Maximum blood collection volumes

• Biweekly sampling (no fluid replacement, 1.25%)         3.1 mL    (250g rat)
• Biweekly sampling (fluid replacement, 1.5%)                  3.7 mL   (250g rat)

5. Multiple retro-orbital plexus bleeding requires the use of alternate eyes each time the procedure is used.
    
6. No bleeding may be performed from a damaged eye.  In the event that both eyes are damaged, eye bleeding must cease.
    
7. Volumes greater than the maximum volumes listed above require scientific justification and prior approval by the ACC.

Effective Dates:  September 27, 2007 through September 26, 2010

This policy has been approved by a majority vote of the Animal Care Committee Members
Joseph Lorenzo, M.D., Chair, Animal Care Committee