Response to Protocol Review Scenario: SOPs for hypothermia

Great Eastern University's policy of using the USDA's pain and distress classifications for both USDA-regulated and non-USDA-regulated species is best practice and is widely used; however, there is no regulatory mandate to use these categories for the latter group.

For years, it has been common practice to use hypothermia on neonatal rodents both for surgical procedures and as part of euthanasia. Neonates have fared well during these surgeries. Studies show that neonates do not have fully developed cortical pain memory systems¹. In addition, the Committee on Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals found that hypothermia can be considered a type of nonpharmacological pain control on neonates. Their finding states that hypothermia can be “applicable to altricious neonates that have not yet developed effective thermoregulatory mechanisms”².

As a member of the IACUC, Bellamy has the right to question any practice that he believes may be archaic or out of the scope of the IACUC's responsibility. It is a subject that may, at this time, need to be reviewed and thoroughly discussed. Until there is factual evidence to dispute the current practice of using hypothermia for neonatal surgeries, however, the IACUC should not change the pain category for these animals from D to E without more background research on the subject.

The induction of anesthesia by hypothermia must be done carefully. Care must be taken to ensure that animals do not come in direct contact with cold materials, that frostbite is prevented and that the animal is re-warmed slowly. To address Bellamy's concerns about the potential for pain during induction and recovery, the IACUC is within its purview to require the development of standard operating procedures to ensure animal comfort and to certify personnel as skilled in the procedure. As part of its discussions, the IACUC should develop a well-written, acceptable rationale for use of hypothermia, clearly defining how and when this process may be used. This will guide future deliberations and facilitate evaluation of future protocols using this method.

Nevertheless, each protocol should be evaluated on its own merit and its own scientific justification. If the IACUC finds that a particular protocol using that procedure is not justified or, in reviewing the details of the protocol, finds that the protocol should be categorized as a category E protocol, it certainly can act accordingly.

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