INTRODUCTION

Birds have been the classic model for embryologists, since the various stages of development can be easily accessed simply by cracking an egg shell. Furthermore, the effects of various drugs, hormones or other compounds can be tested on fetuses at different stages of development. In more recent years, immunologists have used chickens to produce polyclonal antibodies (appendix I).

An adult hen is immunized with antigen, usually by a series of injections. After an appropriate time for the hen’s immune system to mount a response, large quantities of antibodies will be secreted into the eggs. Thus, the researcher can collect the eggs, purify the proteins in the yolk and white, and recover huge quantities of the specific antibody, to use for further experiments.

Narragansette Turkeys

Turkeys have been used for various types of research.

Two specific uses relating to the cardiovascular system are:

feeding B-aminopropionitrile to produce aortic aneurysms and
feeding ethanol to produce cardiac hypertrophy.

POULTRY HOUSED at FARMS versus UNIVERSITY ANIMAL CARE

Poultry may be used for both agricultural and biomedical research projects and birds may be housed at either university farms or at an UAC facility. Specific requirements vary, but are listed in two publications: the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. (copies available at UAC).

Summary of Standards to Follow for Poultry Kept at the U of A

Biomedical Project	Agricultural Project	UAC Housing	Farm Housing	STANDARDS TO FOLLOW
X		X		Guide for Lab. Animals
X			X	Guide for Lab. Animals
	X	X		Guide for Lab. Animals
	X		X	Guide for Animals in Ag. Research

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Last updated: 06/26/2008 gea