Monitoring of Breeding Numbers

The NACLAR Guidelines (2^nd Ed.) states that PIs may consider submitting a separate protocol for breeding, with measures to prevent genetic drift implemented where appropriate. This would be most beneficial to PIs with multiple experimental protocols and where the primary source of animals is from breeding.

Breeding protocols must specify:

1. The breeding system
2. Colony management practices
3. Estimated number of animals needed, including:
   • Number of breeders - Pain Classification 4
   • Number of animals bred but unused due to unsuitable genotype, gender, etc. - Pain Classification 1
   • Number of animals used for experimental procedures - Pain Classification 1/2/3
     
     NOTE: Please group animals by the highest pain classification that they will encounter. For instance, mice undergoing ear tagging (pain classification 1) AND tumour cells injection under anaesthesia (pain classification 2) must be classified under Pain Classification 2.

The Guidelines emphasise the proper tracking and management of breeding animal numbers to “avoid, or minimise, the production of excess animals”. – II.4.3.4, NACLAR Guidelines (2^nd Ed.)

PIs must note the following regarding the monitoring of breeding numbers:

1. Animals under a breeding protocol must not be used for any experimental manipulations before they are transferred to an approved experimental protocol.
   
2. PIs must maintain breeding records for at least 3 years from the completion of the protocols. Such records include:
   • The number of animals transferred from a breeding protocol to experimental protocols. The animals transferred to an experimental protocol should be reported as used under the experimental protocol, not the breeding protocol.
   • The number of animals produced, weaned and the number of breeders used.
   • All breeding and animal use records must be maintained on NTU’s Ethics Review Management Portal (ERMP) with periodic updates made to ensure that bred and used animal numbers remain up to date and ensure that production is kept to the minimum required.
3. IACUC approval is required for the transfer of animals either within an institution or across institutions.
   Please refer to the guide on Transfer of Animals. 

For queries regarding updating of animal numbers on ERMP, please contact NTU ARF.