Title
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) Standard on Acclimation Period for Animals Received/Transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill from outside vendors/Animal Facilities
Introduction
Purpose
The standards and procedures described below provide guidance to all researchers and animal handlers for the acclimation period for animals received from sources external to UNC-Chapel Hill. It does not apply to animals that go through Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) Quarantine – in those cases the quarantine period also serves for acclimation. Animals need a period of time for physiological, psychological, and nutritional stabilization to occur. An acclimation period allows animals time to stabilize in a new environment and promotes both animal welfare and reproducible experimental results. The length of time for acclimation will depend upon the type and duration of animal transportation, the species involved, and the intended use of the animals.
Scope of Applicability
This Standard applies to all personnel involved with animal research at UNC-Chapel Hill who receive transferred animals.
The UNC-Chapel Hill Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) expects that anyone involved in animal work at the University will comply with this Standard. Requests for exceptions to this Standard must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC.
Standard
Newly received laboratory animals should be held for a minimum period of time without undergoing any experimental or other manipulation. The following table provides acclimation periods for various species.
Table 1. Minimum acclimation period
| Species |
Hours required for acclimation prior to survival procedures |
Hours required for acclimation prior to terminal procedures |
| Non-mammalian vertebrates |
72 hours (3 days) |
48 hours (2 days) |
| Rats and Mice |
72 hours (3 days) |
0 hours |
| Hamsters and Gerbils |
72 hours (3 days) |
48 hours (2 days) |
| Rabbits |
72 hours (3 days) |
48 hours (2 days) |
| Other USDA species |
72 hours (3 days) |
48 hours (2 days) |
Contact a DCM veterinarian for discussion if an acclimatization period cannot be utilized for experimental procedures involving newly received animals.
Ensure that all pertinent information in regards to animal transfers and post-shipments is included within the appropriate Animal Care Applications. All animal transfers must be approved by DCM (including those between UNC animal facilities).
See Animal Transport and Biosecurity Policy for more information.
Exceptions
Requests for exceptions to this Standard must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC.
Definitions
Acclimation: Physiological adjustment by an organism to environmental change
Acclimatization: The process in which an individual organism adjusts to a gradual change in its environment (such as a change in temperature, humidity, photoperiod, or pH), allowing it to maintain performance across a range of environmental conditions. Acclimation occurs in a short period of time, and within the organism's lifetime.
Related Requirements
External Regulations and Consequences
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals: p111
University Policies, Standards, and Procedures
University Policy on the Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals for Research, Training, and Teaching Purposes
For more detailed guidance, please refer to the University Policy on the Care and Use of Vertebrate Animals for Research, Training and Teaching Purposes.
Contact Information
Contact Information Table
| Subject |
Contact |
Telephone |
Email |
|
Standard Information
|
Office of Animal Care and Use
|
919-966-5569
|
iacuc@med.unc.edu
|
|
Standard Information
|
DCM Veterinarians
|
919-843-7992
|
|
Important Dates
- Effective Date and title of Approver: 11/08/2013; UNC IACUC
- Revision and Review Dates, Change notes, title of Reviewer or Approver: 11/08/2013; revised 02/2018; revised 4/2023