Antibody production
Information Resources for Adjuvants and Antibody Production: Comparisons and Alternative Technologies
An overview of adjuvants briefly explains the function of adjuvants; guidelines for use of adjuvants, particularly Freund's adjuvants; and to introduce alternative adjuvants. Topics covered include the need, function, advantages and disadvantages of adjuvants and a list of alternate adjuvants.
www.nal.usda.gov/awic/pubs/antibody/
Canadian Council on Animal Care: Guidelines on Antibody Production
Guidelines for production of both polyclonal (pAb) and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to assist investigators and research support personnel to achieve an acceptable immunological result with minimal discomfort for the animals involved. Selection of the species used for polyclonal antibody production includes; rabbits, chickens, hamsters and guinea pigs. When large volumes of antisera are required, animals used include horses, sheep and goats. Rats and mice are used for monoclonal production with the overall consideration to minimise pain and/or distress to the animals.
www.ccac.ca/en/
Pain and Distress Associated with Polyclonal Antibody Production
A group of international experts participated in a roundtable discussion at a scientifically-based meeting held by the Humane Society US in August 2002 and considered animal welfare-related aspects of Polyclonal antibody (pAb) production, including determination of appropriate adjuvants, optimal volume of adjuvant per species, optimal route of immunisation, use of booster injections, available alternatives, and measurement of animal welfare. This report discusses the recommendations from this group, based on their experiences, as well as published literature on these topics.
NH&MRC, Guidelines on Monoclonal Antibody Production
National Health & Medical Research Council (2001). Contains information on Replacement and Refinement of techniques and outlines issues that should be considered in AEC review.
www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/monosyn.htm
Alternatives in Monoclonal Antibody Production (1997)
The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) has worked with scientists since 1981 to find new methods to replace the use of laboratory animals in experiments, reduce the number of animals tested, and refine necessary tests to eliminate pain and distress. The Centre promotes humane science by supporting the creation, development, validation, and use of alternatives to animals in research, product safety testing, and education.
http://caat.jhsph.edu/
Monoclonal Antibody Production
A report of the committee on methods of producing monoclonal antibodies. National Research Council (1999). Includes detailed discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of in vitro and in vivo methods and animal welfare issues relating to the use of the ascites method to produce monoclonal antibodies in mice. Contains an extensive biobliography.
http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/policy/antibodies.pdf
The Antibody Resource Page
This is a source of information on antibodies for both researchers and educators and includes information on antibody suppliers, contract antibody services, educational resources, immunology/biotechnology, databases and software and antibody news. http:
www.antibodyresource.com/
Further information on how to achieve the goals of Refinement in the Animal Research Review Panel Guidelines on Monoclonal Antibodies can be found at the link to Research Procedures under Policies and Guidelines.