GALAS STANDARDS

Genetic Monitoring:
In consultation with Dr. T. Nomura at the Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), Tokyo, Japan, GALAS has developed a comprehensive program for the certification and monitoring of each Wistar Hannover colony. The genetic profile of the Wistar Hannover was determined by examining polymorphism frequency for 17 loci on 9 chromosomes. Each GALAS colony is sampled for certification that it matches this genetic profile. On an annual basis each colony is resampled and monitored for a critical subset of loci to verify that essential elements of genetic profile continue to be present in the population.

Prevention of Genetic Drift:
Embryos from the Taconic Farms and CIEA colonies colony are cryopreserved each year and periodically alloquots are revitalized and introduced into the colony. In addition, each GALAS colony utilizes the same rotational breeding system in order to minimize mating of closely related animals. Genetic pools in each colony are maximized by maintaining in excess of 100 monogamously mated breeding pairs. No selection of breeders is done based on litter size or body weight. As a further prevention of genetic drift between colonies, each colony will be "restarted" approximately every five years with new breeders from the original source colony or from cryopreserved embryos.

Environmental Parameters:
Each Wistar Hannover colony is maintained under maximum barrier conditions. Caging, room temperatures, air changes, bedding material, cage changes, diet formulations, etc. are documented and available to customers. While local laws, customs and resources prevent total harmonization of environmental parameters, GALAS members cooperate to minimize differences between colonies and follow a policy of complete documentation and disclosure of environmental parameters so clients can easily identify variables that may affect comparability of study data.

Microbiological Monitoring:
Each GALAS colony is monitored at least quarterly for a specific set of pathogens and opportunistic organisms which can potentially affect the response of study animals. Annually, samples from each colony are submitted to an independent diagnostic laboratory for comprehensive evaluation. These results are published and distributed to users so they can accurately document the microbiological status of their study animals.

Physiologic Monitoring:
Genetic, environmental and microbiological standardization of each GALAS colony should result in consistent model performance and response. To verify this, basic physiologic parameters (e.g. growth rate, litter size) are monitored in each colony using standardized procedures. These data are compared between colonies and over time to verify stability of the model.

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