Notification from ACC Coordinator – SOP Updates | Biological Sciences FacilityBiological Sciences Facility

*** Important Notice *** SOP Updates for U of T Animal Research Community 9/14/2021

Dear U of T animal user community,

Several SOPs have recently been updated and the notable changes are summarized below.

Housing Mice
SOP: 5.11.0 Mouse & Rat Husbandry Procedures
Consult SOP for more details of allowances for each cage type at each facility.
Notable Change: All mice are to be weaned/housed at a maximum of4 mice per cage to meet CCAC requirements for minimum floor space. This is new for some U of T animal facilities that previously housed up to 5 mice per cage.
Deadline for Implementation: end of 2021
Nesting Material
SOP: 5.11.0 Mouse & Rat Husbandry Procedures
Notable Change: All mouse and rat housing cages are to include nesting material.
Deadline for Implementation: immediately

Secondary Method of Euthanasia
SOP: 12.2.0 Rodent Euthanasia (CO₂, Chemical, & Physical)
Notable Change: All euthanized animals are to undergo an approved secondary method of euthanasia(unless a physical method was used as the primary method) before they are placed in the freezer.
For mice, approved physical methods include cervical dislocation, thoracotomy, exsanguination (e.g., cardiac perfusion), or decapitation.
For rats, approved physical methods include thoracotomy, exsanguination (e.g., cardiac perfusion), or decapitation. Cervical dislocationis no longer an acceptable secondary method for rats.
Deadline for Implementation: immediately

Euthanasia of Pregnant Females and of Neonatal Mice <10 days
SOP: 12.2.0 Rodent Euthanasia (CO₂, Chemical, & Physical)
Notable Change: If females are pregnant with fetuses that are > 14 days gestation, following euthanasia of the female, you must decapitate all fetuses.
Reminder that decapitation of neonatal mice <10 days is also required as they are resistant to CO₂/iso.
Deadline for Implementation: immediately

Surgery
SOP: 10.3.0 Sterile Techniques, Intra-Operative & Post-Operative Care
Notable Changes:
Skin disinfectant– Chlorhexidine (2%) is to replace the use of iodine as skin disinfectant for surgical preparation by the end of the year.
Suture material – Silk sutures are no longer acceptable. Instead use the following non-absorbable options (e.g., polypropylene, nylon) or long-acting absorbable sutures (e.g., Vicryl, PDS, polysorb).
Heat source for surgery: Electrical pharmaceutical heating pads are no longer acceptable for operative or post-operative heat support as they can cause burns. Instead, use a circulating hot water/infra-red blanket, warmed oat bag, hot water bottle, heated stage, as appropriate.
Deadline for Implementation: end of 2021

Access to the full SOPs can be found here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please forward them to acc.coordinator@utoronto.ca.

Best,

Dave

David Hanwell (he/him)

University Veterinarian and Director, Animal Ethics and Compliance

Research Oversight and Compliance Office (ROCO)

Division of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation