Issues in Laboratory Animal Science
Numerous genetic, microbial, environmental, and experimental factors work together to influence development of the lesions studied by the toxicologic pathologist. The pathologist needs to understand how factors associated with the laboratory animal, the animal care and use program, the research facility environment, and the study conditions contribute to study findings so that the results of toxicity experiments can be properly evaluated. The changes that are occurring in laboratory animal care and use practices are driven in part by recent advances in animal welfare concerns. Future standards for animal care and use will likely differ from those employed today. As advances are made, greater emphasis will be placed on understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the interplay between host susceptibility factors, toxicant exposure, and environment.
