Swine raised specifically for use in biomedical research, obtained from commercial vendors or another research colony. These swine are free of specific bacteria, viruses, and/or parasites, as delineated by the vendor.
Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) Purpose-Bred Swine
Spirulina
Manufactured from filamentous blue-green algae; provided to babies.
Spontaneous Cause
A condition that is not research related.
Spor-Klenz RTU®
A disinfectant containing hydrogen peroxide and peroxyacetic acid. It is bactericidal, tuberculocidal, virocidal, and fungicidal. Dilute before use.
SQ
Subcutaneous.
Stable Pair
A pair of non-human primates that are considered compatible with no known aggressiveness, human interventions or separations.
Static Tanks
Tanks used for housing frogs and fish that are not on the recirculating system. Requires manual water drain.
Sterilize
To eliminate all forms of microbial life (e.g., autoclave, ethylene oxide sterilization, vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilization).
Sticky Swab
A double-tipped applicator that is used to swipe against exhaust plenums of caging. These swabs have one end that is sticky (pink) and another that is cotton. Only the pink, sticky end of these swabs is used.
Streptozotocin (STZ)
An antitumor/antibiotic compound isolated from Streptomyces achromogenes with potent toxicity to beta islet cells of the pancreas.
Substance
Substances are all chemicals, drugs, experimental compounds, vehicles, etc. applied in or on an animal as part of the research activities, other than drugs used as anesthetics, analgesics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and/or neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBA).
Surgical Plane of Anesthesia
The stage of anesthesia in which the animal is at an appropriate anesthetic depth and the surgical procedure can begin.
Surgical/Anesthetic/Sedation Record
A record maintained by investigative personnel that includes:
- The surgery or procedure performed
- The date performed
- Anesthetic agent administered, including route, dose, and time/frequency
- Any other drugs given (e.g. analgesics, antibiotics, reversal agents, etc.), including route, dose, and frequency
- Anesthetic monitoring parameters (e.g. temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, etc.)
- Specific requirements for surgical records can be found in these ULAM documents:
Survival Surgery
A survival surgery is one in which the animal awakes from anesthetic following a surgical procedure, even if for a short period of time.
System Water
Water coming from frog/fish racks; safe for use on all equipment coming in contact with frogs/fish of that system.
Systemic Analgesic
A systemic analgesic is a drug that provides pain relief to the entire body.
Tadpole Hymenochirus spp.
Up to 5 weeks of age
Tadpole Xenopus laevis
3-4 dpf through metamorphosis which is typically around 6-8 weeks of age.
Tadpole Xenopus tropicalis
4 dpf through metamorphosis which is typically around 3-6 weeks of age.
Tail Docking
Amputation of the tail of a lamb.
Tap Water
Water coming out of the sink faucet; contains chlorine, which is bad for the fish and will kill them. If used to wash equipment, make sure equipment is dry before using it or rinse it with system water.
Task Codes
Codes used by lab personnel to indicate the type of care provided.
- F: Feed provided (restricted or topped off)
- W: Water bottle topped off
- CW: Changed water bottle
- CC: Cage change performed
- S: New cage started
Technician Time Charges
- Supplies: An amount or quantity of a commodity that is needed outside the normal per-diem fee schedule. For example: additional cages, water bottles when placed long-term on ventilated racks, and non-standard lab requested Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Note: the time spent and/or service provided must also be charged to the lab monthly.
- Services: To provide time and assistance with a specific job/ task above and beyond standard husbandry duties. For example: euthanasia, amount of time spent changing diabetic animal cages, etc. Technician time may also refer to additional supplies used and provided beyond the normal standard operating procedures.
- Technical Services: Laboratory requested contracted services to be provided by the ULAM Technical Service Team. For example: checking plugs, tagging, tailing, bleeds, injections, measure tumors, etc. Note: the time it takes to provide the service will be billed in 15-minute increments unless management approves otherwise.
- Overtime: Will be charged to time spent providing additional services on weekends, holidays, or after regular working hours (6:00 AM - 4:15 PM). Overtime charges will be a multiplication of the total time on weekends/holidays/after hours by 1.5 (ULAM Business Office personnel will perform this calculation).
Tecniplast Recirculating Tank System
Standard recirculating housing for frogs and fish in which water recirculates throughout the rack.
Temperature Set Point
Room temperature desired to be maintained for each species according to the room temperature table (see Appendix A in the Animal Room Environmental Monitoring SOP).
Temperature Tape
Sticker that is placed on equipment processed through cage wash machines that indicates highest temperature equipment reached up to 180°F.
Teratogen
An agent capable of causing developmental abnormalities.
Test-and-Cull
This method of eradication is an option for most viral outbreaks in SPF barrier rodent rooms (i.e. rodents housed in microisolator cages). Because microisolator cages are individual biologic units, if appropriate technique is used, there should be minimal risk of viral spread from cage to cage. Eradication is directed at testing one or all mice in each cage and euthanizing any positive cages. This definition may change in unique circumstances.
The Elements Of Fire
The fire tetrahedron can be applied to fires associated with animal use procedures.
Thermo-Hygrometer
Device capable of reading max/current/min temperature as well as relative humidity.
Topical (epicutaneous)
The application of substances directly to the skin for topical effect.
Toxin
An antigenic poison or venom of plant or animal origin, especially one produced by or derived from microorganisms and causing disease when present at low concentration in the body.
Toxoid
A vaccine administered for long-term protection against a bacterial toxin.
Transdermal (percutaneous)
The application of substances directly to the skin for systemic effect.
Transport Cage
Complete cage set up; including cage bottom, feeder, and micro-isolation top.
Treatment (Tx)
This indicates this animal is being treated for tumor ulceration or a condition secondary to its tumor burden after veterinary consultation or as outlined in the animal use protocol (ex. diet gel will be provided when body condition drops below a 3 out of 5).
Document any laboratory approved ULAM veterinary treatment recommendations (i.e. dietary supplementation, SQ fluids, topical triple antibiotic ointment, etc) on the Tumor Monitoring Form - Cage Card Size (see Appendix A of the Guidelines and SOP on Tumor Monitoring) or on the Tumor Monitoring Form - Notebook Size (see Appendix B of the Guidelines and SOP on Tumor Monitoring) and include the date of treatment, the unique identifier of the cage treated, the treatment itself, and the initials of the person administering the treatment.
Treatment and Observation Sheet
A full-page form used for documenting information for inclusion in the permanent medical record.
Treatment Card
A cage card-sized form for recording rodent treatments as they are completed. This is one option for documenting treatments provided by investigative personnel.
Trio Birthing
Alternative breeding strategy in which two adult females and one adult male are co-housed and left together following the birth of pups, resulting in a maximum of two litters and three adults in a cage. To engage in trio birthing, justification for overcrowding must be submitted to and approved by the IACUC.
Trio Breeding
Alternative breeding strategy in which two adult females and one adult male are co-housed . Unless otherwise approved, one of the adult females must be removed prior to parturition such that no more than two adults and one litter are in the cage at any given time. Justification for overcrowding may be submitted to the IACUC and if approved, trio birthing may be used. Singly housed pregnant females or stud males should be labeled with a blue tab as described in the Identifying Single Housed Animals SOP.