Search the Glossary
#3 Short Plastic Shoe Box
8 x 17 x 6 inch polycarbonate cage.
#3 Tall Plastic Shoe Box
8 x 17 x 7 inch polycarbonate cage.
A/A
Anesthesia and analgesia.
AAALAC
AAALAC International (AAALAC) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary program assessments and subsequent accreditation.
AAHA
American Animal Hospital Association.
Abnormal
Condition departing from the normal strain specific expectations; irregularity.
Accessory Basket
Wire basket used to hold small items that need to be washed such as sipper tubes, cage card holders, reusable enrichment devices, etc. A lid must be placed on the accessory basket before processing through cage wash machines.
Acclimation
For the purpose of the Policy on the Prolonged Restraint of Research Animals, acclimation is defined as the process used to condition an animal to prolonged physical restraint.
Acclimation Period
The time period provided to an animal after shipment to allow physiological and psychological stabilization prior to any experimental manipulation.
Acetate
A colored, plastic card placed over animal cage cards that aid in communication between husbandry, ULAM veterinary, and investigative personnel. Acetate colors correspond to a specific animal care procedure and could be red, green, clear, yellow or blue.
In certain settings, such as aquatic or outdoor housing areas, acetates may not be easily utilized. In those cases, animal identification procedures should be agreed upon by veterinary and investigative personnel as needed and communications will be documented in relevant medical records.
Acetate Label
A sticker or white piece of tape placed on the acetate describing information regarding animals within that cage.
Active Case
Those involving animals currently being treated and/or monitored for a clinical condition, or an experimental condition (e.g., tumor burden, food and water restriction, etc).
ACUO
Animal Care & Use Office. The ACUO works hand-in-hand with researchers and the IACUC to ensure that all projects adhere to University policies and federal laws that require a review of projects for the humane treatment and judicious use of vertebrate animals.
ACUP Compliance Committee (ACC)
A subcommittee of IACUC members that is chaired by an IACUC Vice-Chair. The ACC is tasked with conducting the “Allegation and Report Assessment.” The ACC includes, at minimum, an IACUC Vice-Chair, a non-affiliated IACUC member, and at least one other faculty scientific IACUC member.
An ACUO Compliance Consultant and a designated faculty veterinarian will also be part of the committee to provide support. If allegations or inquiries include a safety or hazardous materials component, a member of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) will be added as an ad hoc consultant to the ACC. Appointment to the subcommittee is at the discretion of the ACUO Director.
Acute Use
Animal involved in a study at the University of Michigan, which has a terminal endpoint within seven days of their arrival.
ACVA
American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.
Ad Libitum
Unlimited supply of food or water.
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)
Complex chemical that is present in all organic material and is the universal source of energy used by all living cells (including bacteria). As such, ATP monitoring can be used to quickly assess the sanitization of surfaces or liquid samples. The presence of ATP indicates the presence of organic material, and so a high level of ATP indicates a lack of effective sanitization.
Adjuvant
Pharmacological or immunological agent that modifies the effect of other agents (e.g., drugs, vaccines) while having few if any direct effects when given by itself.
Adolescent Rhesus or Baboon
Age between 1-7 years old.
Adult fish
Fish over 90 days old.
Adult Hymenochirus spp.
4 months and older.
Adult Pig
Any large breed pig weighing greater than 40 pounds or miniature breed pig older than 8 weeks of age.
Adult Rhesus or Baboon
Greater than 7 years old.
Adult tree shrew stage
4 months of age and older.
Adult Xenopus laevis
Typically, once the animal is 12 months old, though can vary. Males will be ~5-6cm in body length and females will be ~10-12cm in body length.
Adult Xenopus tropicalis
Typically, once the animal is 4-6 months of age. Males will be ~3-4cm in body length and females will be ~4-5cm in body length.
Adverse Event
An unexpected incident that leads to harm or endangers the well-being of animals and/or humans.
Aeration Phase
Last phase of a cycle that circulates the VHP through a catalytic filter to break it down into water vapor and oxygen. Length of this cycle depends on room dimensions.
Agent
Agents are drugs intended for use explicitly as an anesthetic, analgesic, sedative, tranquilizer, and/or neuromuscular blocking agent (NMBA).