Award details

Laboratory welfare of xenopus

Reference	BB/C506272/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Richard Tinsley
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Bristol
Department	Biological Sciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	249,382
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/02/2005
End date	31/01/2008
Duration	36 months

Abstract

An experimental programme to determine optimum conditions for laboratory maintenance aims to produce quantitative data as proof of the final recommendations for animal welfare protocols. Towards this, groups of Xenopus (usually n=15-20) will be maintained under rigorously-controlled environmental conditions and physiological state will be assessed after periods of 3-6 months (sometimes 6-9 months). Laboratory parameters to be examined (with appropriate statistical tests) include water quality, temperature, housing density, illumination, spatial dimensions of aquaria, diet, environmental enrichment. Quantitative measures will include growth rate, maturation time, and fecundity but the key criterion for most Xenopus users is oocyte quality (to be assessed in research use by collaborators); so, most trials will focus on females. Behavioural responses will be tested including habitat choice. Other measures will include assay of corticosteroid hormones, mucus cell density in histological sections of skin, and susceptibility to experimental parasite infections. Major concerns amongst Xenopus users about parasitic infections will be addressed by basic studies of life cycle biology for the most important pathogens (the nematode Pseudocapillaroides and the mite Xenopacarus) which are as yet virtually unstudied, determining transmission, development, pathogenic effects. These, and the monogenean Protopolystoma will be employed in experimental trials to test effects of stress (from unfavourable maintenance conditions) on disease development. Protocols will be established for treatment (including anthelmintic drug doses) and prevention of infection in lab colonies. Other disease concerns involving microbial infections will be followed up with collaborations, especially concerning myxozoan, microsporean and chytid fungal infections. Pathology will be documented using histology and electronmicroscopy. A questionnaire survey and a programme of visits (to research laboratories, commercial exporters and importers) will be undertaken to provide a comprehensive review of lab welfare: this will guide both the experimental programme and the major output of this project ¿ a comprehensive manual for the laboratory welfare of Xenopus.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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