[Animal welfare relevance and the functional and morphological significance of the killing of laboratory animals].

Euthanasia of experimental animals at the end of an experiment or when an experiment is terminated is relevant for two reasons: firstly, because of ethical reasons and of animal protection, secondly because of scientific evaluation of experimental results. Functional and morphologic alterations have up to now been inadequately observed and considered. Gradually varying different results depend on the different methods of euthanasia. Additionally single parameters of reactions in isolated organs vary depending on the method of euthanasia. These facts have not yet been respected in the discussion of so called alternate methods. The significance of functional and morphologic effects as seen in different methods of euthanasia is discussed with examples.