Hernández-González R, Hernández-Espinosa J

Language: English/Spanish
References: 17
Page: 149-153
PDF size: 490.54 Kb.

ABSTRACT

A bibliographical study, concerning characteristics of laboratory rodents and rabbits used for experimental research in Mexico from 1980 to 1989, was performed. Biological and environmental data was taken from the Material and Method section of articles included in acknowledged Mexican biomedical science journals. Obtained data included: Species and number of animals, strain, biological characteristics (sex, age, weight and genotype), microbiological status, environmental conditions and conditioning period. The mostfrequent species were rat (57.74%), strain Wistar (83%), and mice (15.49%), strain BALB/C (70%). Nevertheless, only 50% of the consulted articles included strain data. Regarding age and weight data there was a tendency to use young adult animals, however, this information was mentioned in only 24% of the articles. With regard to the microbiological status and the environmental conditions of the animals in which the experiments were performed, less than 16% of the reports included these aspects. Conventional animals were mainly used; however, some authors tend to describe the microbiological status of the animal, rather than the environmental conditions in which animals were reared and where the research was performed. The absence of not very accurate and systematic information, reduces the possibilities of reproduction of the experiments and therefore, results. This problem limits the impact of studies at international level. Journal committees should require authors to mention information such as: Species and number of animals, strain, biological characteristics (sex, age, weight and genotype), microbiological status, environmental conditions and conditioning period, systematically.

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