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Home / Equine Research Bank / Lab Anim / Experimental animal urine collection: a review.
Laboratory animals2004; 38(4); 333-361; doi: 10.1258/0023677041958945

Experimental animal urine collection: a review.

Abstract: Animal urine collection is a vital part of veterinary practice for ascertaining animal health and in scientific investigations for assessing the results of experimental manipulations. Untainted animal urine collection is very challenging, especially with small rodents, and is an almost impossible task under conditions of microgravity. The fundamental aspects of urine collection are: (1) ease of collection, (2) quality of sample, (3) prevention of contamination, (4) severity of procedures used, (5) levels of pain caused to the animal and (6) refinement of methods to reduce stress, pain or distress. This review addresses the collection of urine for qualitative and quantitative purposes from rodents, rabbits, felines, canines, avian species, equines, porcines, ungulates and certain non-human primates, with animal welfare in mind. Special emphasis has been given to rodents, canines and non-human primates, since they are the animals of choice for research purposes. Free catch (voluntary voiding), methods with mild intervention, surgical methods, modified restraint, cage and special requirement methods have been reviewed here. Efforts need to be taken to provide appropriate animal husbandry and to nurture the animals in as natural an environment as possible since experimental results obtained from these research subjects are, to a great extent, dependent upon their well-being. A continuous refinement in the procedures for collecting urine from experimental animals will be the most efficient way of proceeding in obtaining pure urine specimens for obtaining reliable research data.
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Publication Date: 2004-10-14 PubMed ID: 15479549DOI: 10.1258/0023677041958945Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • P.H.S.
  • Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses the crucial role of animal urine collection in both veterinary practice and scientific investigations, particularly the challenges it presents and the importance of refining methods to improve sample quality and animal welfare.

Importance of Animal Urine Collection

  • The research highlights the significance of animal urine collection in differing sectors. Within veterinary practice, it serves as a key tool for assessing an animal’s health. In scientific research, it is essential for evaluating the outcomes of experimental procedures.

Challenges in Animal Urine Collection

  • The article brings attention to the difficulties encountered when acquiring unadulterated urine samples, particularly from small rodents and in environments with microgravity conditions.

Essential Elements of Urine Collection

  • The article lists key considerations in urine collection: ease of the collection process, quality of the obtained urine sample, prevention of contamination, severity of the methods used, levels of pain inflicted on the animal, and refining of techniques to lessen stress, pain, or distress.

Species Reviewed

  • The paper reviews the collection of urine from diverse species, including rodents, rabbits, cats, dogs, birds, horses, pigs, hoofed animals, and specific non-human primates.
  • Particular focus is given to rodents, dogs, and non-human primates as these species are commonly selected for research.

Urine Collection Methods Reviewed

  • The review examines a variety of urine collection techniques, including voluntary voiding (free catch), methods involving mild intervention or surgical procedures, modified restraint techniques and special cage methods.

Animal Well-being

  • The study emphasizes the need to maintain appropriate conditions for animal care and to provide as natural an environment as possible, as these factors significantly influence the reliability of experimental data obtained.

Necessity for Method Refinement

  • The paper concludes that persistent refinement of urine collection methods is vital for both improving sample purity and improving animal welfare, ultimately leading to more reliable research data.

Cite This Article

APA
Kurien BT, Everds NE, Scofield RH. (2004). Experimental animal urine collection: a review. Lab Anim, 38(4), 333-361. https://doi.org/10.1258/0023677041958945

Publication

Laboratory animals
ISSN: 0023-6772
NlmUniqueID: 0112725
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 4
Pages: 333-361

Researcher Affiliations

Kurien, Biji T
  • Arthritis and Immunology Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA. biji-kurien@omrf.ouhsc.edu
Everds, Nancy E
    Scofield, R Hal

      MeSH Terms

      • Animal Husbandry / methods
      • Animal Welfare
      • Animals
      • Animals, Laboratory / urine
      • Female
      • Male
      • Specimen Handling / methods
      • Urine

      Grant Funding

      • AR01844 / NIAMS NIH HHS

      Citations

      This article has been cited 50 times.
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