We provide animal husbandry support that includes breeding and colony maintenance for rodents, aquatic animals, and USDA covered species.  We provide animal health surveillance, quality assurance, and work to provide compliance with regulatory authorities and oversight agencies.

Accredited care, expertise 

Quality animal husbandry and veterinary care are key to the success of preclinical research studies. Our team of experts in the Laboratory Animal Medicine group at NCI Frederick and Bethesda provides, manages, and operates several large and complex laboratory animal facilities accredited by AAALAC. These include conventional, quarantine, and barrier facilities with Animal Biosafety Levels 1 or 2 capabilities. We ensure the welfare of animals through stringent husbandry guidelines, veterinary care, safety measures, and regulatory compliance.

Sprague-Dawley rat in animal technician's hand

Animal husbandry and veterinary care

A team of veterinarians provides preventative, clinical, and emergency veterinary support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We care for USDA-covered species, including mice, rats, and rabbits. 
What is this? Sprague-Dawley rat
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Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Aquatic animal care

We provide expertise in housing and care of aquatic research models for study of cancer and developmental biology. We care for USDA-covered species including zebrafish (Danio rerio) and frogs (Xenopus laevis).
What is this? Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
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From animals to regulations: Full-time, holistic maintenance 

We ensure the appropriate selection and humane use of animal models, and we provide regulatory and scientific support for researchers.  We conduct health surveillance that includes a battery of tests to ensure an animal population that is specific pathogen-free and that is not exposed to diseases that could have detrimental effects on research.  

Health of immunocompetent mice

Mouse chapparvovirus causes chronic kidney disease in mice

Concerns MKPV could produce study variations in immunocompetent models.
Comparison study of AXB

Subcutaneous administration of AXB is a viable alternative to KX

AXB may be a better injectable anesthetic option for avoiding adverse cardiac effects in mice.

Our capabilities and specializations

Research support services 

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians use their extensive experience and knowledge to provide support to ongoing research and to advance research at NCI and NIH. 

  • Surgical support 

  • Animal model development 

  • Procedure development and refinement 

  • Technical support to aid ongoing research

Regulatory compliance efforts 

Veterinarians and administrative staff work to ensure that researchers meet all expectations of regulatory agencies while performing their important work.   

  • Protocol development 

  • AAALAC Accreditation 

  • USDA Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations 

  • PHS Policy

  • OLAW