Refinement Handling

Alternative methods such as cell cultures or organ-like structures (organoids) nowadays often represent possibilities for researching a wide variety of (bio)medical principles or answering other scientific questions without the need for a single animal. Even if the replacement of animals is the absolute goal in research, their use is still unavoidable in some cases. In order to meet all ethical, moral and legal obligations, the use of animals should follow the 3R principles of Russell and Burch. If there is no possibility of choosing an animal-free alternative for an experiment (replace), then attention should at least be paid to reducing the number of animals used (reduce) and maximising animal welfare (refine).¹

The R of Refinement plays a very important role in animal experiments. Refinement is understood to mean measures to reduce or completely avoid disstress, which by definition is prolonged and severe stress. The means used to achieve this goal include keeping the animals in a species-appropriate environment that allows them to live out their needs, but also handling, especially the handling methods. Appropriate pain management also falls within the scope of Refinement.²

Young et al. conducted a survey of laboratory animal workers as part of a study on refined handling. Their aim was to get an overview of the extent to which animal-friendly (refined) methods such as tunnel handling (picking up with a tunnel) and cup handling (picking up in a palm shaped into a bowl) are used instead of tail handling (picking up at the base of the tail) and what the motivations are for insisting on handling methods that would knowingly cause stress and discomfort or even suffering to the animals. For this purpose, 261 people with various positions, such as veterinarians, managers, animal keepers, scientists, etc., were interviewed about knowledge, aspirations, opinion and methodology on a personal and institutional level. Qualitative, open-ended questions were asked, as well as questions to be assessed quantitatively. The result was alarming: only 3% of the mice (14,300 animals) were in institutions where only refined handling methods were allowed. In 97% of the animals (540,022) only methods such as tail handling were used.³

What are the reasons that instead of animal-friendly handling, the method that leads to more stress is chosen? According to the findings of the survey, this is not due to a lack of knowledge about better handling methods. The clear majority would even know about the advantages of cup or tunnel handling and that not only the animals, but also the people and the quality of the research would benefit from it. Less common, however, would be the knowledge that refined handling alternatives are suitable for mice of all ages and strains and that they would show a lasting and long-lasting positive effect on the laboratory animals. Thus, the animal-friendly transfer of the animal from the cage also has a positive effect on subsequent activities, such as blood sampling.³

Other reasons, apart from the above-mentioned misconception or the existing knowledge gap, which would prevent the implementation of tunnel and cup handling, would be the lack of pressure at the professional level, the lack of support from decision-makers in the company, the additional costs that would be caused by the acquisition of the tunnels, or the fear of an additional expenditure of time due to the required training. While the first three reasons are justified, the latter can be refuted by experience. The time that would have to be invested in training would be saved later in daily use.³

But how can scientists still be reached and convinced that refined handling should not be an option but the standard of animal handling? Young et al. emphasise that there is still a lot of educational work to be done in order to fill existing knowledge gaps and eliminate misconceptions. In addition to knowledge transfer, it would also be useful to offer training and education in the field. Regional non-profit organisations would play a significant role in achieving this goal.³

The study by Young et al. shows that there is a great need for improvement in the area of refinement. It is the responsibility of every single person working in the laboratory animal sector to draw attention to abuses and to stand up for animal welfare.

1) RL 2010/63/EU The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. By W. M. S. Russell and R. L. Burch; 1959.
2) Zurlo J, Hutchinson E. Refinement. ALTEX. 2014;31(1):4-10. doi: 10.14573/altex.1312191 . PMID: 24448759 . https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Disstress; Zugriff am 28.09.2023
3)Young L, Goldsteen D, Nunamaker EA, Prescott MJ, Reynolds P, Thompson-Iritani S, et al. (2023) Using refined methods to pick up mice: A survey benchmarking prevalence & beliefs about tunnel and cup handling. PLoS ONE 18(9): e0288010. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288010