ABSTRACT
Application of humane endpoints should be included in policies for refining experimental procedures, especially those anticipated to involve severe suffering. A humane endpoint constitutes a refinement strategy designed to minimise pain, suffering or distress experienced by animals during an experiment. Fear is probably the commonest adverse effect experienced by laboratory animals and involves activation of the sympathetic nervous system in preparation for defence strategies such as flight or aggression or, in some species, tonic immobility. Pain and distress might confound animal experimentation by interfering with scientific outcomes such as immunological or hormonal responsiveness, and thereby invalidate the findings. The objective of a humane endpoint is to limit the level of suffering that an animal experiences. Animal technicians/caretakers and pathologists play an essential role in observing, monitoring and communicating observations relevant to the animals’ well-being. Transferring animals that appear to be in pain or distressed to a new cage may facilitate observation but will also be stressful.
