Download F5 - Use of Tritium in Domestic Fowls

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND ANIMAL ETHICS COMMITTEE (AEC)
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FORM
(For Domestic Fowl, Native Fauna/Wildlife, Domestic Livestock & Laboratory Animals)
Title of Procedure:
Use of Tritium in Domestic Fowls (F5)
Objective:
To determine body water and fat in broiler chickens.
Details of Procedures:
Birds are starved and denied access to water for 12 hours, then weighed and if they are
to be injected more that once a week, a blood sample (minimum, 1ml; maximum,
depends on body weight) taken to determine background tritium level.
Tritium is then injected, intramuscularly, into the thigh. Each bird is injected with 10
uCi/kg body weight. A stock solution is diluted so that each bird received the required
dose in 1ml of solution.
Three hours after injections the bodyweight of each bird is recorded and a blood
sample taken (1-5ml, depending on bodyweight). Birds are then allowed access to
feed and water.
For birds up to 28 days of age, blood samples are taken from the jugular vein, there
after from a wing vein. Disposable 5ml plastic syringes, fitted with 21 gauge, 38mm
needles are used for injection and sampling. Syringes and needles are rinsed with
lithium heparin prior to sampling.
Blood is transferred to 5ml plastic lithium heparinised vials for storage and/or isotope
recovery and counting.
Drug, Chemicals or Biological Agents:

Sterile tritium/tritiated water.
Care of Animals after the Procedure:
Return to normal environment.
Qualifications, Experience, Skills or Training Necessary to Perform this
Procedure:
Operators must be familiar with the techniques involved in handling domestic fowls as
well as the methods of aseptic blood collection and intravenous drug administration in
birds. Thorough knowledge of the techniques and risks associated with use of
radioisotopes is required.
Effects of Procedure on Wellbeing of Animals:
Should be negligible.
Pain Relief Measures:
Nil
References:
Nil
Prepared by: Dr G Jones (Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition,
UNE) and Ruth Tremont (UNE Director of Animal Welfare), 1992
Reviewed by: A/Prof Brian CHEETHAM (Science and Technology), 2006/7