Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST Centre, Aarhus University.
Department of Clinical Medicine, AUGUST Centre, Aarhus University;
J Vis Exp. 2021 Aug 21(174). doi: 10.3791/62099.
Implementation of 3R initiatives is important. To refine the life of laboratory pigs, we focused on the time period prior to inclusion of animals in experiments. We improved the checklist during the development. By using the checklist each individual pig's progress was documented. This aids the caretakers so they remain focused on the actions necessary to socialize the animals and limit the animal's stress and anxiety level. During this phase, the pigs become calm and ready to commence additional clicker training to further limit stress during the experimental period. The pigs will readily allow basic outcome measures to be collected without sedation or fixation. The protocol is divided in two. First the transition phase that begins as the pigs arrive at the research facility. Introducing treats and gradually closer contact to the caretakers are the first steps. Then, the caretaker introduces actions to be able to touch the head and hind, to mimic e.g. manipulating the ear to take a blood sample or the hind to obtain a rectal temperature. A strong foundation is established in the animal-caretaker relationship and this swiftly minimizes the stress the pigs express after arrival. Secondly, the positive reinforcement training commences to teach the animal how to carry out more complex tasks without becoming stressed. A clicker is introduced as a secondary reinforcer. Time, structure, education and thorough communication seem to be the most important criteria to succeed in the application of this protocol. In addition to having calm and compliant pigs, the caretakers report that they enjoy the focus they are allowed to give each individual pig, adding to their overall job satisfaction. Having caretakers with a strong commitment, and a focus on the transition progress and welfare of each pig, additionally strengthens the department's Culture of Care.
3R 倡议的实施非常重要。为了改善实验用猪的生活，我们将重点放在动物被纳入实验之前的时间段。我们在开发过程中改进了清单。通过使用清单，记录了每头猪的进展。这有助于饲养员专注于使动物社会化并限制动物的压力和焦虑水平所需的行动。在这个阶段，猪会变得平静，并准备开始进行额外的点击器训练，以进一步限制实验期间的压力。无需镇静或固定，猪就会允许采集基本的结果测量值。该方案分为两个阶段。首先是过渡阶段，从猪到达研究设施开始。引入食物和逐渐与饲养员更接近是第一步。然后，饲养员引入动作，以便能够触摸头部和臀部，例如模拟操作耳朵以采集血样或操作臀部以获取直肠温度。在动物与饲养员之间建立了牢固的关系，这迅速减轻了猪到达后的压力。其次，开始进行正向强化训练，以教导动物如何在不感到压力的情况下执行更复杂的任务。引入了一个点击器作为二级强化物。时间、结构、教育和彻底的沟通似乎是成功应用该方案的最重要标准。除了拥有平静和顺从的猪之外，饲养员还报告说，他们喜欢专注于每头猪，这增加了他们的整体工作满意度。如果饲养员有强烈的承诺，并且专注于过渡进展和每头猪的福利，那么这将进一步加强部门的关怀文化。
