Parâmetros ambientais determinantes ao bem-estar de animais mantidos em um biotério specific pathogen free de uma instituição pública brasileira

Abstract

The use of animals in scientific research dates back to antiquity, but only in the last few decades have relevant debates started about the conditions of maintenance of these animals. In order to adapt to legal norms, animal facilities began to be modernized and facilities with strict standards began to appear, with regulated and supervised activity in an attempt to improve animal accommodation conditions and also increase the reliability and reproducibility of experimental results. Thus, the objective of the present study was to carry out a survey and discussion on the environmental parameters that determine the well-being of animals found in a vivarium of a Brazilian public institution. In order to achieve this objective, an evaluation was carried out on the equipment, materials, and management methods, with potential interference in the welfare of the animals. Furthermore, these data were compared to the bibliography that deals with the subject. The observed parameters were analyzed and discussed. The characteristics discussed were divided into macroenvironment (sanitary barriers; adequate temperature and humidity; noise level; odors; lighting; and ventilation) and microenvironment (microisolator; animal management; quality of wood shavings, water and feed; and animal population density) . After analyzing these parameters, it can be inferred that the animal facility analyzed complies with the regulations of the National Council for the Control of Animal Experiments (CONCEA).