ALAT ALAT Species-Specific Care and Experimental Models Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the term for mice that are raised in a completely sterile environment and have no microbial colonization?
- SPF (specific pathogen free) mice
- Germ-free (axenic) mice (Correct answer)
- Inbred mice
- Transgenic mice
Correct answer: Germ-free (axenic) mice
Germ-free (axenic) mice are raised in isolators and have no microorganisms, unlike SPF mice which are free only from specific listed pathogens.
Question 2: Which zoonotic disease risk is most associated with non-human primates (NHPs) in US research facilities?
- Rabies
- Herpes B virus (Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1) (Correct answer)
- Hantavirus
- Ringworm (dermatophytosis)
Correct answer: Herpes B virus (Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1)
Herpes B virus (Macacine alphaherpesvirus 1) is a significant zoonotic risk from macaque NHPs and can be fatal in humans without prompt treatment.
Question 3: What is the purpose of sentinel animals in a laboratory animal colony?
- To guard the facility against unauthorized entry
- To detect the presence of pathogens in the colony through health monitoring (Correct answer)
- To serve as the first animals used in new experimental protocols
- To train new staff on handling techniques
Correct answer: To detect the presence of pathogens in the colony through health monitoring
Sentinel animals are housed to detect colony-wide pathogen exposure; their serology and health status represent the health of the larger colony.
Question 4: What does 'SPF' stand for in the context of laboratory animal health status?
- Standard Protocol Foundation
- Sterile Pathogen Free
- Specific Pathogen Free (Correct answer)
- Specialized Production Facility
Correct answer: Specific Pathogen Free
SPF stands for Specific Pathogen Free, meaning the colony has been tested and confirmed free of a defined list of pathogens.
Question 5: Which of the following is a normal physiological feature of rats that differentiates them from mice in a research setting?
- Rats do not have a gallbladder
- Rats cannot vomit due to their anatomy (Correct answer)
- Rats have a bicameral heart
- Rats are obligate carnivores
Correct answer: Rats cannot vomit due to their anatomy
Rats (and mice) lack the anatomical structures required to vomit, which is an important consideration in toxicology and GI research models.
Question 6: When housing zebrafish (Danio rerio) in a research facility, which water quality parameter is most critical to monitor?
- Water hardness only
- pH, temperature, conductivity, and ammonia levels (Correct answer)
- Dissolved oxygen and salinity only
- Water color and turbidity only
Correct answer: pH, temperature, conductivity, and ammonia levels
Zebrafish health depends on maintaining appropriate pH (7.0–8.0), temperature (26–28°C), conductivity, and monitoring ammonia levels for water quality.
ALAT ALAT Species-Specific Care and Experimental Models Questions and Answers 2
What is the term for mice that are raised in a completely sterile environment and have no microbial colonization?