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Zebrafish

 

One action identified by the research community and included in the report Reducing Administrative Burden for Researchers: Animal Care and Use in Research in response to the 21st Century Cures Act is to consider changing the applicability of the PHS Policy to zebrafish larvae from immediately after hatching (typically 3 days post fertilization [dpf] under optimal conditions) to when larvae begin free feeding (at approximately 5 – 7 dpf). 

While OLAW encourages institutions to use flexibilities to reduce administrative burden while using zebrafish in research (NOT-OD-21-118), the PHS Policy continues to cover zebrafish larvae immediately after hatching. 

Policies and Laws

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PHS Policy III.A.: Defines an animal as "[a]ny live vertebrate animal used or intended for use in research, research training, experimentation, or biological testing or for related purposes." 

PHS Policy IV.D.1.A.: "All Institutions: Applications and proposals (competing and noncompeting) for awards submitted to the PHS that involve the care and use of animals shall contain the following information:

a. identification of the species and approximate number of animals to be used;"

U.S. Government Principles IV: "Proper use of animals, including the avoidance or minimization of discomfort, distress, and pain when consistent with sound scientific practices, is imperative. Unless the contrary is established, investigators should consider that procedures that cause pain or distress in human beings may cause pain or distress in other animals." 

Guidance

Notice Number Description Date
NOT-OD-21-118 Request for Information (RFI) on Flexibilities to Reduce Administrative Burden While Continuing to Apply the PHS Policy to Zebrafish Immediately After Hatching May 7, 2021

 

Resources

FAQs

FAQ A.4 Does the PHS Policy apply to live embryonated eggs?

Although avian and other egg-laying vertebrate species develop backbones prior to hatching, OLAW interprets the PHS Policy as applicable to their offspring only after hatching. The egg-laying adult animal is covered by the Policy. OLAW expects Assured institutions to have policies and procedures in place that address the care or euthanasia of animals that hatch unexpectedly.

FAQ A.5 Does the PHS Policy apply to larval forms of amphibians and fish?

Yes, larval forms of fish and amphibians have vertebrae and are covered by the PHS Policy. As noted in FAQ A4, the PHS Policy applies to the offspring of egg-laying vertebrates only after hatching. Zebrafish larvae, for example, typically hatch 3 days post-fertilization. [A21]

FAQ D.17 What guidelines should IACUCs follow for fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and other nontraditional species used in research?

PHS Policy is intentionally broad in scope and does not prescribe specifics about the care and use of any species, assigning that task to the IACUC and allowing for professional judgment. Many of the principles embodied in the Guide can generally be adapted to the care and use of various kinds of nontraditional research animals. IACUCs may seek the advice of experts when necessary, and refer to scientific-based publications prepared by professional organizations with interest in various species. Appendix A of the Guide references many such publications. [A7]

FAQ F.2 Is the IACUC responsible for tracking animal usage?

Although the PHS Policy does not explicitly require a mechanism to track animal usage by investigators, it does require that proposals specify a rationale for the approximate number of animals to be used and be limited to the appropriate number necessary to obtain valid results. This implicitly requires that institutions establish mechanisms to document and monitor numbers of animals acquired and used, including any animals that are euthanatized because they are not needed. Monitoring should not exclude the disposition of animals inadvertently or necessarily produced in excess of the number needed or which do not meet criteria (e.g., genetic) established for the specific study proposal. Institutions have adopted a variety of administrative, electronic, and manual mechanisms to meet institutional needs and PHS Policy requirements.

Webinars

Webinar Link Webinar Date
Zebrafish 101 for IACUCs  March 12, 2015

Articles

Title Description Date
Zebrafish 13(6):1-2 Hatching Fish - When should animal tracking begin? 2016
Lab Animal 35(1) Should you count your mice before they're weaned? 2006