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Alternatives Database
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Review
By Vera Baumans, Professor in Laboratory Animal Science vera.baumans@admin.ki.se
Veterinary Resources, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden. Tel: + 46 8 728 6786; Fax: + 46 8 33 9247 (commissioned by eurca)
Summary
The Koken rat is a valuable alternative in the course in Laboratory Animal Science. The alternative rat model makes it possible to practice several basic techniques, such as handling, oral gavage and tail vein puncture. This makes students feel more confident, as some of them might be frightened of handling rats and practising techniques. Moreover, it provides the opportunity to practice the techniques in detail on the model first, before it is done in the life animal, reducing discomfort and stress in the animal.
In use at the Dept of Laboratory Animal Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands, at Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden in the 80 hours courses in Laboratory Animal Science and in similar courses, organized / contributed to by Utrecht teachers all over Europe.
Comparison with the real animal model
The Koken rat is a very valuable tool in the hands on sessions in handling, administration of substances (oral gavage and IV injection) and blood sampling from the tail vein in small rodents. By using this alternative, students can learn to use the instruments (needles, syringes) and techniques without the problem of a moving and struggling animal. This makes that students can learn more relaxed, making them feel more confident and therefore doing a better job as they can focus entirely on one subject at the time.
The Koken rat cannot replace the life animal completely, as it is essential to learn the whole scala of handling and techniques in a living, moving animal under expert supervision. However,the use of the Koken rat reduces the number of life animals used in courses in Laboratory Animal Science and it reduces the amount of discomfort experienced by the animals, thereby contributing to reduction and refinement.
Using the alternative resource
The aim of using the Koken rat is to make the student familiar with restraining rats, with handling a syringe or oral gavage needle and with injecting IV in or collecting blood from a small vein.
Some knowledge of the anatomical structures involved can be useful, although not a prerequisite. Although the Koken rat could be used as a stand-alone alternative, as instructions accompany it, the presence of teachers is essential in order to correct failures.
One of the drawbacks of the model is that the pharynx can be damaged easily resulting in a dysfunction of the oral gavage model (fluids will not be passing the oesophagus anymore).
The other drawback is that, although the manufacturer advises to use the red stain which comes with the model, this will stain the whole tail when the vein is not properly punctured( and that is what very often happens with inexperienced persons!). This stain cannot be flushed out from the tail.
We adjusted the model therefore by using silicone tubes on the “veins”, which we put in a glass with water. When the syringe and needle are placed in the right position, the students can prove that the needle is correctly placed in the vein by aspirating (withdrawal of the plunger) and the following increase of the fluid level in the tube.
Contribution to the alternative resource to the 3Rs
No doubt the Koken rat will contribute to awareness of animal experimentation and the 3Rs, as teachers will always explain that one of the reasons for using the Koken rat is the commitment to the 3Rs. Although there is still explanation and supervision needed, the use of the Koken rat will slightly reduce the staff-student contact time as the students can practice by themselves later on.
Applicability in teaching situation
The Koken rat is suitable for everyone seeking experience in techniques as oral gavage and tail vein puncture, including animal technicians and lab technicians.It is suitable for independent use and use in class.
Visual appearance
The Koken rat looks like a real rat, especially the tail, and comes close to the real life situation in e.g. the location of the tail vein.
Service provided by the supplier
Although we complained about the red staining of the whole tail, no comments were received from the Japanese manufacturer. The model is rather expensive in relation to sustainable use.
If you are an author or supplier of this alternative and you would like to write a response to this review please contact eurca with your reply.
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