Office of Research Use of Radios and Other Sound Generating Devices in the Vivaria - Office of Research

Use of Radios and Other Sound Generating Devices in the Vivaria

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to define the acceptable use of radios and other sound generating devices within animal housing areas.

Background

Exposure to loud background sounds can have both auditory and non-auditory effects on animals, including eosinopenia, increased adrenal gland weights, and reduced fertility in rodents, as well as increased blood pressure in nonhuman primates. Many species can hear frequencies of sound that are inaudible to humans, thus the potential effects of sound-producing instruments such as radios should be carefully considered. When at all possible, activities that might be considered noisy should be conducted in rooms or areas separate from those used for animal housing.

Per the 2011 ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, (the Guide”), page 50:

“Radios, alarms, and other sound generators should not be used in animal rooms unless they are parts of an approved protocol or an enrichment program.”

Policy

Playing radios or other sound generating devices in the vivaria is not permitted unless it is part of an enrichment program that has been reviewed and approved by the IACUC.

Proposals to the IACUC must include at least the following information:

  1. The reason for the radio/device.
  2. Specific location(s) radio/device will be played.
  3. The hours the radio/device will be played.
  4. Volume the radio/device will be played.

References

2011 ILAR Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals

Procedure: IACUC-17
Date: May 5, 2017
Enabled by: ILAR Guide
Supersedes: March 7, 2013