The Animal Platform of Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Getafe is divided into 2 parts: the animal facility and the experimental operating rooms.
Animal Facility
Experimental animals are an essential tool in many biomedical research projects. They are also very useful for the training of medical residents.
The use of experimental animals is governed by specific legislation (European Directive 2003/65/EC and Royal Decree 53/2013), which sets out basic regulations for the protection of animals used in experiments and for other scientific purposes, including teaching.
Our animal facility is registered in the Autonomous Community of Madrid (ES 28 065 0001166) and adheres to current legislative requirements. The facility has passed the inspections of the Autonomous Community of Madrid.
The facility includes the infrastructure necessary for a conventional animal facility to breed and house rodents and lagomorphs and house sheep and pigs. The rooms where the animals are kept are equipped with systems to control temperature and the night/day cycle.
In order to be able to use the animals in the platform, researchers must fulfill the stipulations of Royal Decree 53/2013:
– Specific training in the handling of experimental animals.
– Authorization to carry out a project with animals. This will depend on a favorable evaluation by the following:
o Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (CEEA).
o Corresponding body, chosen by the researcher.
o Competent authority, in this case, the Autonomous Community of Madrid.
Experimental operating rooms
The main objective of the experimental operating rooms is to provide surgical facilities and suitable equipment for experiments with animals and for teaching.
The experimental operating rooms are an appropriate support service that provides the necessary material and instruments for surgical procedures in rodents, lagomorphs, and large animals (sheep and pigs).
All the material and anesthetics necessary for surgery are available, and researchers can request advice on veterinary issues at all times. The service includes magnification devices, microsurgery, material for laparoscopic surgery, and more complex anesthetics for special surgical techniques.
The surgical area has 2 operating rooms for large animals with mechanical ventilation and monitoring. The facilities are specially designed for the surgical procedures used in teaching. In addition to the possibility of administering injectable anesthetics, the rooms have workstations for inhalation anesthetics for rodents with the corresponding systems for eliminating anesthetic gases.
In addition to these facilities, researchers and teaching staff have access to veterinary surgeons specialized in anesthesia and support staff such as orderlies and laboratory technicians.
Comité Ético de Experimentación Animal (CEEA [Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee])
As stipulated in Chapter VI of Article 37 of Royal Decree 53/2013, the CEEA of Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Universitario de Getafe was set up in 2013. The Committee has a series of statutory functions, which apply to the bodies responsible for animal welfare, as follows:
– Advising staff working with animals on issues associated with animal welfare (acquisition, housing, care, and use).
– Advising staff on the application of the principle of the 3Rs: replacement, reduction, and refinement. Keeping staff informed about technical and scientific advances in the application of this principle.
– Establishing and reviewing internal operational processes with respect to monitoring, reporting, and follow-up of information associated with animal welfare.
– Providing advice on rehousing or adoption, including appropriate socialization of animals that are to be rehoused or placed for adoption.
– With respect to users, the Committee will also prepare the report alluded to in article 33.1 of Royal Decree 53/2013 and will follow up projects taking into account the effect on the animals used. The Committee will also determine and evaluate the elements that best contribute to replacement, reduction, and refinement.
In addition to the functions set out in Royal Decree 53/2013, the CEEA will be responsible for the following:
– Evaluation of any other research project that could directly affect animal welfare.
– Ensuring compliance with good practice in animal experimentation and research.
– Prepare reports for the governing bodies of Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Universitario de Getafe, on ethical problems associated with any of the aspects addressed above.
CONTACT:
MARIO ARENILLAS BAQUERO – Appointed Veterinary Surgeon Animal Facility of Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica Hospital Universitario de Getafe Ctra. de Toledo km 12,500 28905 Getafe (Madrid) Tel. 916 839 360 (ext. 2397)Móvil. 687 955 715 Fax. 916 247 305 email: vetuihug@yahoo.es, veterinario.hugf@salud.madrid.org
