title: Administration of substances to laboratory animals: equipment considerations, vehicle selection, and solute preparation.
abstract: Administration of substances to laboratory animals requires careful consideration and planning to optimize delivery of the agent to the animal while minimizing potential adverse experiences from the procedure. The equipment selected to deliver substances to animals depends on the length  of the study and the nature of the material being administered. This selection provides a significant opportunity for refining animal treatment. Similarly, when substances are administered as solutions or suspensions, attention should be given to selection of vehicles and methods used for  preparing the solutions and suspensions. The research team, veterinarian, technical personnel, and IACUC members should be aware of reasons underlying selection of equipment for substance delivery and should consider carefully how substances will be prepared and stored prior to administration  to animals. Failure to consider these factors during experimental planning may result in unintentional adverse effects on experimental animals and confounded results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada. pvturner@uoguelph.ca
authors.forename: Patricia V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pekow
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vasbinder
authors.forename: Thea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Brabb
mesh_terms: D035661:Animal Care Committees; D000827:Animal Welfare; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D057785:Catheters / Q000592:standards; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D004343:Drug Implants; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007756:Laboratory Animal Science / Q000379:methods*; D013594:Syringes / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D004304:Dosage Forms; D004343:Drug Implants