LABORATORY ANIMAL FACILITY

The Laboratory Animal facility (LAF) is responsible for the supply and husbandry of laboratory animals used by the various research programs at the Fox Chase Cancer Center. The LAF has been in existence since 1948 and maintains a diversity of genetically defined rodents including many strains unique to this institution. Notable examples are the immune deficient SCID mouse, the Eker rat, and a transgenic mouse model for human melanoma. The LAF consists of animal housing facilities on the Center campus, as well as an animal health/genetic monitoring laboratory. The LAF adheres to the highest standards of laboratory animal care and works closely with the laboratory animal health facility (LAHF) to monitor the health of the laboratory animals. The facilities are accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care and are designated as registered research facilities by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The LAF is responsible for complying with all government regulations regarding the use and care of animals in research at Fox Chase. All research protocols involving laboratory animals are reviewed by the institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC). The current members of the IACUC are D. Chapman, M. Clapper, J. Cole, T. Coleman, J. Gricoski, K. Hunter, A. Klein-Szanto, T. Lerro, T. Poole, G. Rall, L. Simeoni, and W. Mason, Chairman.

The LAF provides animals that are genetically uniform and free from any disease that would compromise the interpretation of research results. In addition, the staff of the facility provides technical expertise to various Fox Chase research laboratories on a daily basis. This year the LAF produced, and cared for approximately 33,000 mice of various strains and 1,500 inbred rats. In addition, approximately 65 rabbits, 30 woodchucks and numerous ducks have been obtained and cared for in the past year. The majority of our inbred mouse strains are produced in a specific pathogen free (SPF) condition in the barrier breeding facility. This facility enables the LAF to maintain the excellent health status of the mouse colony as well as permit the successful production of large numbers of immunologically compromised scid mice.

LABORATORY ANIMAL HEALTH FACILITY

The primary function of this facility, directed by Dr. Cole, is to ensure the healthiest animals possible for use in experimental work. To this end, the facility has established a comprehensive monitoring process designed to maintain, and where necessary, improve the health quality of animal stocks. The diagnostic laboratory has a complete in-house capability to evaluate rodent sera for the presence of antibodies directed against murine viruses and other infectious agents. Both the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the immunofluorescent antibody assay (IFA) are currently used. The facility also has established a vigorous microbiological surveillance program, including the use of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) techniques, for detection of microorganisms of veterinary importance. Data generated by the diagnostic laboratory are computerized to enable us to monitor animal health more closely.

GENETIC MONITORING

The genetic monitoring laboratory ensures the genetic integrity of the rodents utilized in the various research programs at the Center. The LAF currently maintains six inbred strains of mice (Table 1), as well as two randombred mouse strains. In addition, many mouse F₁ hybrids are routinely produced. These mice are available to Fox Chase investigators as well as researchers at other institutions. In the past year, the LAF has provided mice to 45 Fox Chase researchers and 11 research institutions both here and abroad. The genetic monitoring program has been designed to 1) construct genetic profiles for each strain/line maintained in the barrier breeding colonies and provide routine genetic surveillance of the various strains for compliance to their profiles, and 2) provide for rigid enforcement of proper genetic management procedures within the foundation breeding colonies. The laboratory also ensures the genetic integrity of research breeding colonies and provides genetic testing services to Fox Chase research programs as well as the transgenic mouse facility. All biochemical and immunological testing is carried out by a trained research specialist in the genetic monitoring laboratory. Isozyme typing is done by electrophoretic separation on cellulose acetate, Igh allotyping by ELISA and H-2 typing by hemagglutination. In addition, microsatellite analysis of mouse strains is done utilizing PCR techniques. The daily operation of the SPF barrier breeding colonies is handled by personnel trained and experienced in genetic management and record keeping. In addition, the LAF geneticist continuously monitors the activities in these colonies. All of the breeding, production and genetic monitoring records have been computerized. These computerized records enable us to closely monitor breeding performance, pedigree lines, and utilization of the various inbred strains and F₁ hybrids.

TABLE 1. Rodent Strains Maintained in the LAF Foundation Colonies

Inbred Mouse Strains
BALB/cAnNIcr	C.B17/Icr-scid
BALB/cAnNIcr-scid	C57BL/6JNIcr
C.B17/Icr
Randombred Mouse Strains
Icr:Ha(ICR)	Icr:Ha(ICR)-scid

SERVICES

As in the past, the LAF and LAHF continue to experience an increased demand from the investigative staff for technical services. This is due, in part, to recent changes in federal government regulations concerning the handling of laboratory animals, as well as an increase in research programs.

Services provided by the staff include surgery; antibody production in rabbits, mice, and rats; bleeding animals; tumor line maintenance; construction of unique genetic stocks; necropsies; isozyme testing; tumor and cell culture screening; microbiological/serological testing; and immunologic screening. In addition, one of the most important services the staff provides is advice and consultation on appropriate animal models and techniques for research.

Illustrations or unpublished data in these reports should not be used without permission of the author.

Fox Chase Cancer Center

Scientific Report 1998