Rat tickling in gestation females

IAT Congress 2024 -- Rat tickling is a positive handling technique promoted by the NC3Rs. Labcorp successfully trialed and adopted rat tickling in early 2021. Rat tickling was being used for most studies; however, it was not recommended for pregnant animals, which was advised by the NC3Rs. From the positive results seen, we then questioned if rat tickling could be used for pregnant females as this had previously been not recommended on the website. After discussion with our veterinarians, Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer and the study director, and agreement was given, we trialed rat tickling on an embryo-fetal study. The objectives of the embryo-fetal developmental toxicity studies are designed to detect adverse effects on the development of the embryo and fetus consequent to exposure of the dam from implantation to hard palate closure.