ALAT Facility Environment and Management 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of environmental enrichment for laboratory mice that addresses their natural burrowing behavior?
- Providing a running wheel
- Adding nesting material such as cotton nestlets (Correct answer)
- Installing a water bottle with a sipper tube
- Increasing the photoperiod to 14 hours of light
Correct answer: Adding nesting material such as cotton nestlets
Nesting material satisfies the innate burrowing and nesting instincts of mice, reducing stress and improving welfare.
Question 2: What is the primary reason laboratory animal facilities use HEPA filters in their ventilation systems?
- To regulate room temperature more efficiently
- To remove particulates and pathogens from the air supply (Correct answer)
- To reduce noise from the HVAC system
- To increase carbon dioxide levels for sedation
Correct answer: To remove particulates and pathogens from the air supply
HEPA filters capture ≥99.97% of particles ≥0.3 µm, including bacteria and spores, protecting animals from airborne pathogens.
Question 3: A rodent facility experiences an unexplained increase in pup mortality. Which environmental factor should be investigated FIRST?
- Cage color preference of breeding pairs
- Temperature fluctuations in the breeding room (Correct answer)
- The brand of water bottles in use
- The species of bedding supplier
Correct answer: Temperature fluctuations in the breeding room
Temperature extremes, especially cold drafts or heat spikes, are a leading environmental cause of neonatal mortality in rodents.
Question 4: Under current Guide recommendations, which of the following practices is acceptable for social species such as rabbits when housing is concerned?
- Single housing as the default to prevent injuries
- Pair or group housing whenever scientifically and socially appropriate (Correct answer)
- Housing males and females together at all times
- Housing with a different species for companionship
Correct answer: Pair or group housing whenever scientifically and socially appropriate
The Guide emphasizes that social species should be housed in pairs or groups unless there is scientific or veterinary justification for single housing.
Question 5: When performing a room changeover after removing one mouse strain and before introducing another, what step is ESSENTIAL to prevent cross-contamination?
- Painting the room walls
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces and equipment (Correct answer)
- Changing the lighting timer settings
- Reducing the air changes per hour temporarily
Correct answer: Thorough cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces and equipment
Complete cleaning and disinfection eliminates residual pathogens, allergens, and biological material before a new animal group is introduced.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST explains why laboratory animals should be protected from ultrasonic sound sources (e.g., certain computer monitors, plumbing)?
- Ultrasonic sounds improve animal performance on cognitive tests
- Rodents can hear ultrasonic frequencies and experience stress from them (Correct answer)
- Ultrasonic sounds mask cage change alarms
- Rodents use ultrasonic sounds only for predator detection outdoors
Correct answer: Rodents can hear ultrasonic frequencies and experience stress from them
Rodents communicate and perceive sounds in the ultrasonic range; chronic exposure to ultrasonic noise can cause significant physiological stress.
Question 7: A facility manager wants to document that the animal room environment meets regulatory and accreditation standards. Which tool BEST supports this?
- A daily visual inspection checklist only
- Continuous electronic environmental monitoring with logged data (Correct answer)
- Monthly verbal reports from technicians
- Annual IACUC walkthrough inspections only
Correct answer: Continuous electronic environmental monitoring with logged data
Continuous electronic monitoring provides timestamped records of temperature, humidity, and other parameters, essential for compliance documentation.
ALAT Facility Environment and Management 5
Which of the following is an example of environmental enrichment for laboratory mice that addresses their natural burrowing behavior?