​IACUC Protocol Requirements

Policy

Use of Live Vertebrate Animals: IACUC approval is required for any use of live vertebrate animals in research, teaching, or testing by University faculty, staff, students, volunteers, or visiting scientists. Projects conducted at field sites and in non-University facilities are subject to the same review process required for projects conducted at University research sites. This includes, for example, field studies and any activities for which University credits are awarded (e.g., 499 credits, etc.). Approval is obtained by submission of a completed protocol to the IACUC by a University faculty member or research scientist. All protocols must be created and submitted within HoverBoard, the University’s electronic protocol management system.

HoverBoard: https://hoverboard.washington.edu

All protocols, regardless of species or funding source, must be reviewed in their entirety and approved by the IACUC every three years (“de novo” review). All amendments to the protocol must be approved prior to implementation (see IACUC Policy “Review and Approval of Protocol Amendments”).

Any time an animal is euthanized for the purpose of using their tissues, or any time project-specific antemortem manipulation is involved, IACUC review and approval is required.

Use of Invertebrate Animals: IACUC approval is required for any research and teaching involving cephalopods, whether in the field or on campus. This applies to cephalopods of any life stage after hatching. The IACUC recognizes that its oversight of other invertebrates will evolve over time and it will continue to work with the faculty and research community to assure animal welfare.

Use of Shared Tissues and Slaughterhouse Materials: The University IACUC encourages the use of shared tissues and slaughterhouse materials when scientifically appropriate. An individual may obtain tissues from a slaughterhouse or from an animal that has been euthanized, given that the animal was euthanized for the purposes specified in the approved IACUC protocol to which that animal was assigned. In the latter case, the individual may obtain all or part of the animal, and there is no requirement for that individual to be approved as personnel on the IACUC protocol for which the animal was euthanized. However, the individual should enroll in the Occupational Health Program for animal users by submitting an Animal Use Medical Screening (AUMS) Form so that the Environmental Health and Safety Occupational Health Nurse (EH&S OHN) can determine whether the individual needs to take any special precautions when handling the tissue.

In brief, in order to be exempt from IACUC review and approval:

• The tissue use must not result in a need for an increase in the number of animals to be used on the approved IACUC protocol.
• Live animals must not be subjected to any changes in procedures, or additional procedures, beyond those approved in the IACUC protocol to which they are assigned.
• Live animals cannot be transferred to another researcher who does not have IACUC approval for their use. This applies even when the only procedures planned are euthanasia and tissue harvest.
• Euthanasia of an animal whose tissues are to be shared must be performed for the IACUC-approved purposes on the protocol to which it is assigned. A researcher with an approved IACUC protocol cannot euthanize animals for the sole purpose of providing tissues to another researcher, unless that is specifically described and approved in the IACUC protocol to which the animals are assigned.​

Larval Amphibians and Fish: Federal guidance has specifically addressed the use of larval amphibians and fish⁸. Per federal policy, larval amphibians and fish are classified as “live vertebrate animals” immediately after hatching. Zebrafish larvae, for example, typically hatch 3 days post-fertilization. IACUC approval is therefore required for use of amphibians and fish at all post-hatch life stages.

Avian Embryos: Federal guidance has specifically addressed the use of avian embryos. Per federal policy, avians are classified as “live vertebrate animals” only after hatching. Avian embryos are therefore defined as “tissue” prior to hatching, and therefore IACUC approval for their use is not required. As such, researchers may order eggs directly from vendors for use of embryonic tissue. For further information, refer to the IACUC Guideline “Purchasing and Use of Eggs Pre-hatching”.