Stress Models/Restraint Stress
Prolonged restraint (>60 minutes) OR restraint that is utilized to induce stress as part of the experimental paradigm must be documented in the IACUC Protocol.
Prolonged restraint (> 60 minutes) may be stressful to the animal and should be avoided unless essential to the research objectives. When restraint is required, consideration should be given to using the least restrictive method possible independent of economic or technical constraints. If prolonged restraint is required, the following procedures must be used.
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Animals to be placed in restraint equipment should be conditioned to the equipment by gradually increasing times of restraint until the maximum restraint time is reached.
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The period of restraint must be limited to the minimum required to accomplish the research objectives.
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For comfort and safety of the animal, certain types of restraint equipment, such as slings for dogs, require that the animals be attended throughout the period of restraint. For each situation, the IACUC will make a determination as to the intensity of the attention required.
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Restraint utilized as a method of inducing animal stress is a well established model. Protocols requesting restraint stress must scientifically justify the need for such and minimize the stress period to that which is scientifically justified. Restraint devices should be designed for rodents so that they cannot injure themselves or become hypo/hyperthermic. Criteria for timely intervention if distress develops should be addressed in the protocol.
