Fish were the single most used species for science in 2020.1 Most were used in basic biological research (the study of living things and their processes) and were also used in animal husbandry research, species conservation, and more.
Why so many fish are used: Most fish have a very short reproductive cycle, meaning they can be bred quickly, they also don't generally cost much to breed or house, making them desirable test subjects in science.
Zebrafish are regularly used as animal models for human development. A single pair of zebrafish can produce 100 to 300 embryos in one week. Zebrafish embryos are transparent and have their whole “body plan” laid down only 2 days after fertilisation. The similarity between human and zebrafish genomes is often cited as a reason to use them in models.2
Snapper3, eels4 and other fish that are eaten5 are also regularly used in science because of their importance to the commercial fishery. This industry will always be looking for ways to maximise its profits.4
Many fish living in the wild are studied as a way to research climate change.
Fish in NZ have been used for:
1. Research into optimising the growth and use of fish for human consumption. This includes research into optimal feeding, genes responsible for body size and growth speed.
Other examples include:
- Testing environmental influences and impacts (i.e. how salmon farms affect surrounding ecosystems).
- Researching how toxins accumulate in fish organs (i.e. algae toxins, mercury).
- Finding treatments/vaccines for illnesses and injuries from aquaculture.
- Manipulating the life cycle of fish to try and maximise reproduction.
2. Teaching purposes in schools and universities, including observational activities and dissections.
3. Medical research (i.e., they are used to try and model humans).
Examples include:
- Fish larvae have been used to try and model human immunity.
- Fish embryos have been used to try and study human foetal development.
- Genetically modified fish have been used to try and study adipostasis and glucose metabolism.
4. Basic research into fish biology, including research into how sharks sleep, how hearing develops in fish, microbes inside fish stomachs and the spread of viruses in wild fish.
5. Research into the effects of climate change, including research into marine food webs, biodiversity changes, species behaviour and interactions and predator abundance.
Other examples include research into:
- Measuring the genetic reactions to stress.
- The effects of herbicides on fish behaviour
- How well Arctic fish do at higher temperatures.
6. Species conservation, including research into killing unwanted species (i.e., koi carb, catfish, rudd, and goldfish).
Other examples include research into:
- The efficiency of one-way barriers on lake outflow.
- Fish-friendly flood pumps (i.e. for eels).
- Finding out where wild fish breed the most (to see which areas are worth protecting).
- Optimising catching/tagging methods for re-capture projects.
7. Ecotoxicity testing (i.e., in tests that measure how biological, chemical or physical stressors affect ecosystems).
Places that use fish for science in NZ include universities, crown research institutes, polytechnics, commercial organisations and others.
The University of Otago for example has its own Zebrafish Facility. The MPI naturally has a research interest in fisheries and ecosystems. As a crown research institute, NIWA’s research in the fields of aquaculture, fisheries, and the Antarctic is funded by the government. Cawthron Aquaculture Park is home to a dedicated Finfish Research Centre (FRC), which opened in 2018 with funding support from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
Fish used for science in NZ are sourced from breeding units, fish farms, commercial sources, and public sources, are born during projects or are captured in the wild.
Discover real-life examples of how fish have been used in NZ below!
Testing a new papillomavirus vaccine
Adult colony cats were injected with a new vaccine or a control solution. Regular skin swabs and blood samples were taken.
Testing the effect of dietary fibre in cat food
Cats received three diets for three weeks each. Food intake was measured daily, and urine and faeces were collected for the last 5 days each time.
Determining how common E. coli is in pets
Rectal swaps were taken from cats and dogs presented at veterinary clinics, and their caregivers filled out a questionnaire.
Tracking and killing wild cats
Wild-caught cats were used to train sedation and collar fitting before being killed. Another group of cats was fitted with GPS collars for one year before being tracked down and shot.
Scoring the body condition of colony cats
The body condition score of 101 cats was determined, adding to routinely collected body weight data from the breeding colony.
Testing new toxin at Ngatapa Station
Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.
Testing a possum poison for other animals’ safety
Dogs, chickens and wild-caught cats were fed dead possum. Once they got used to eating this, they were fed possums killed with sodium nitrite, and signs for poisoning were monitored.
Testing nutritional value of new pet food
Cats and dogs were fed a test diet exclusively for several months. Some adults are kept in metabolic chambers for 10 days, and blood samples are taken at the end.
Testing new toxin at Toronui Station
Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.
Surveying caregivers on their cats’ personality
Cat caregivers in Australia and New Zealand filled in an online survey about their cats’ personality traits.
Training staff in wild cat handling
Wild cats are trapped and used to train staff in handling, sedation and collar fitting before they are killed.
Sampling cats’ saliva for feline autoimmune disease
Buccal swabs (inside the cheek) were collected from all cats in three British Shorthair breeding catteries.
Measuring vitamins in blood samples
Blood samples were taken from colony cats of different ages.
Collecting blood plasma for tests
Colony cats are switched from wet food to dry food for two days. Blood samples are taken before and after.
Testing a breathing mask on cats and dogs
Cats and dogs were held down tightly and fitted with face masks. Their breathing was measured for a while.
Testing pain medication with lasers
Colony cats were put into small chambers, and a laser was pointed at a shaved skin patch. The influence of medication on their reaction time was measured.
Investigating how worms spread between lambs and calves
Lambs and calves were treated against parasites and then infected with worm eggs. Infection status was monitored. This was repeated several times before all sheep were killed.
Testing a fertility treatment
Cows with fertility problems were treated with hormones for ten days or left untreated. All were then artificially inseminated.
Testing a supplement for more calcium intake
Pregnant cows were fed with or without a specific feed additive. After birth, all were fed the same diet. Blood samples were taken in the weeks around birth.
Checking endometritis rates in dairy herds
Some cows in several dairy herds were selected, and their vaginal discharge was measured and sampled. They were then impregnated as per standard agricultural practice.
Comparing weight gain with different diets
Newborn calves were raised on various milk, pasture, and pellets combinations. They were slaughtered at two years old, and their “quality” was measured.
Testing pain meds for disbudding
The horn buds of young calves who were slightly sedated were burned off with a hot iron. Half of them received pain meds beforehand, and blood samples were taken before and after. After 24 hours, the second group received pain meds, too.
Studying Ikeda infection and treatment
Regular blood samples were taken from cows on three different farms. Only some were treated against the parasite. Milk production and fertility were recorded.
Studying diarrhea infection
New mother cows had blood samples taken. If the sample was negative for a diarrhoea virus, they were sampled again after a while.
Studying genes for body size
Udders of dairy cows were slightly cut with a scalpel, and a tissue sample was taken with a biopsy needle.
Testing toxicity of a potential new fertiliser
Pigs were fed toxic bait and monitored until they died.
Studying stress around birth
Blood samples were taken from cows with a high or low risk of health concerns after birth.
Studying genetics of a missing tail
Cloned foetuses were implanted into female cattle to research taillessness. Some of them were killed during pregnancy to examine the foetuses. One tailless animal was killed at age 4, and one of the cloned calves died after birth.
Studying Ikeda (parasite) infection
Blood samples were taken from dairy cows and their calves directly after birth before separating them. After four months, the calves were sampled again.
Studying Osteoporosis in cows
Young female cattle who had given birth for the first time were sent to slaughter. Half of them had broken bones for between 2 and 10 days. Blood samples were taken before slaughter, and bones were collected after.
Testing a tuberculosis vaccine
Male calves were infected with bacteria. Two groups were vaccinated before or after the infection, and the third group was left untreated. All were killed and dissected 13 weeks later.
Testing feeding plans for better immunity after calving
Pregnant cows were fed either a bit too much or a bit too little. Blood samples were taken before, at, and after calving. Researchers also took liver samples with a 20-cm biopsy needle and vaginal samples with a small brush and a scoop at these dates, except for the date of birth.
Analysing Greyhound race injury statistics
Historical data on Greyhound races between 2014 and 2019 were analysed. Injuries and deaths were investigated.
Using bones of euthanised shelter dog
Cadavers of dogs killed at an animal shelter were donated. Holes were drilled into leg bones and fitted with screws.
Investigating farm dogs for four years
Working farms dogs were examined regularly for four years. Health problems and fate were recorded.
Transplanting faeces as diarrhoea treatment
A dog with diarrhoea was treated with laxatives and warm water before a faeces sample from a healthy dog was inserted into his colon. Samples were taken before and after.
Testing the eyes of working dogs
Eye examinations were performed on working sheep dogs. Medication for pupil dilation was given, and faeces samples were taken from most dogs.
Analysing dog movements
Colony dogs were prepared with reflective markers and an activity collar. Their movements on a treadmill at various speeds were recorded.
Testing the effect of diet on farm dog performance
Working dogs were fed a diet very high or very low in carbohydrates. Their blood glucose and activity were monitored three times over four days each.
Testing a parasite treatment
After a pilot study with just one dog, six more were given an experimental parasitic treatment. Regular blood samples were taken through a catheter.
Teaching dogs to smell out catfish
Five pet dogs were trained over several months to identify catfish and goldfish smell in water samples.
Testing different combinations of pain meds
Eight dogs are treated with four different combinations of the test drugs in random order with two-week breaks in between. Two catheters are placed in leg veins (for drug injection and blood samples). For the test, dogs are fasted for 12 hours and anaesthetised. EEG is recorded with electrodes near the brain to measure response to electric shocks. Regular blood samples are taken for 8 hours.
Studying medical data of cat and dog CT-imaging
Medical data from cats and dogs were gathered, and animals that had been euthanised for other reasons were examined.
Teaching dogs to smell out koi carps (2019)
Three pet dogs were trained over several months to identify koi carb smell in water samples.
Testing working dogs for internal parasites
Faeces and blood samples were taken from working farm dogs.
Testing fluid management of dogs during anaesthesia
Dogs were anaesthetised. Their heart activity was measured while hey were injected with calculated amounts of fluid.
Trying to make rat poison unattractive for dogs
Dogs were fasted overnight and then given two food bowls with different kinds of repellent on one of them.
Surveying respiratory disease in racing Greyhounds
Laboratories sent in serum samples of dogs for analysis. Additionally, 17 racing Greyhounds were tested.
Using fish to study the impacts of Climate Change
Fish were either bought or caught and killed so that they could be dissected.
Overfeeding Zebrafish to learn about obesity
Normal and transgenic zebrafish were fed normally or way too much. The fish were taken out of the water for glucose tests and blood samples.
Studying gut bacteria in fish
Nine fish were caught by underwater spearing and killed so that samples could be collected from their digestion tracts.
Studying the sleep of sharks
Sharks were caught and kept in outside tanks. For the experiments, they weren't fed for at least 4 days, of which they spent 3 days in a measuring chamber not much bigger than the shark. Oxygen consumption and behaviour were continuously recorded for the last 24 hours.
Infecting fish larvae as a potential model for humans
Zebrafish larvae were injected with bacteria to test how their immune system responds. This was repeated to test how well the immune system reacted and how long the effect lasts.
Finding a “growth gene” in snappers
Snappers were caught from the wild and bred. Around eighty-thousand of their offspring were hatched and raised. At regular “grading” events, injured and deformed fish were disposed of. At just under a year old, around twenty-two-thousand were left and transported to a sea pen, where they were raised to 17.5 months old before harvesting.
Testing how much fat you can feed fish
Fish in aquaculture were divided into groups and fed diets with different fat content. Fish were anaesthetised and faeces samples squeezed out of them.
Testing fish for mercury contamination
Wild fish were caught, measured and frozen to be analysed.
Measuring how stress affects fish
Fish were exposed to chronic stress for four weeks, while 57 non-stressed animals were kept as a control. Signs of stress were noted. At the end of the experiment, all were chilled to death.
Exposing fish to herbicides
Zebrafish were kept in tanks that were contaminated with different herbicide concentrations for 10 days. They were then mated to herbicide-exposed or control fish. Both generations were tested on behavioural changes at around 4 months of age. 24 fish per treatment were killed and dissected.
Testing supplements as protection from toxins in over 1,000 fish embryos
Embryos were harvested and kept in Petri dishes for toxicity and treatment tests. Embryos were treated with an antioxidant, a gold salt or both on the first day, and abnormal development was measured on day 5.
Studying effects of drying rivers on mudfish
Water depth and quality were measured at 24 different sites. Several traps for fish and invertebrates were set at 8 visits, sampling and mostly killing the caught animals (including 15 individuals of the endangered Kōwaro).
Studying bacterial spread in fish larvae
Bacteria were genetically modified and made fluorescent. Zebrafish were bred, and their larvae were infected with the bacteria. The fish were killed for analyses or used for live imaging under a microscope (and then killed, most likely).
Investigating effects of invasive fish removal
Using fyke nets and electrofishing, fish were caught on four occasions. Fish were marked with fin clippings around one big removal event where 3 tonnes of fish were caught. In recaptures a week after each marking event, invasive fish caught were killed after the examination.
Studying fish life cycles
Fish were sedated and their blood and ovarian tissue were sampled three times.
Developing a model for thermal stress in humans
Guinea pig pups were lightly anaesthetised, connected to devices measuring heart activity and breathing, and wrapped in a temperature-controlling blanket. Their body temperature was either forcefully raised or dropped.
Testing how too much fructose is bad during pregnancy
Female guinea pigs were mated; some were fed additional sugary water until birth. The pups were used for several glucose tolerance tests and X-rays. All pups were killed in the end.
Testing a seizure medicine for preterm babies
Pregnant guinea pigs were induced to give birth early, to test medication on their pups.
Testing the effects of sedatives
Young guinea pigs were treated with different sedatives. Their heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and during each treatment.
Testing an refined way of anaesthesia in guinea pigs
Guinea pigs were made to inhale anaesthetic gases. Different probes were inserted and attached to the animals to measure responses.
Studying the effect of fructose during pregnancy
Guinea pigs were fed either normally or supplemented with fruit sugar before and during pregnancy until birth. Mothers and pups were tested for glucose tolerance.
Studying the effects of meth
Guinea pigs were injected with sedatives, caffeine, and later meth. Under anaesthesia, their livers were cut out before they were killed.
Studying preterm birth effects on the brain
Pregnant guinea pigs were grouped to give birth normally or be induced early. The pups were put through behavioural tests and then killed for dissection.
Studying trauma and treatment of cochlear implants
After destroying their hearing with noise, guinea pigs were fitted with cochlear implants. Treatment success was tested before they were killed.
Testing the measurement of pupil reflexes in Alzheimer’s research
Guinea pigs were repeatedly flashed in the eyes with a phone light to record the pupil responses.
Teaching animal researchers
A range of animals is used to teach researchers handling and experimental methods.
Investigating mechanisms slowing down the heart rate
Young guinea pigs were injected with blood thinner before being anaesthetised and dissected.
Testing a device to assess hearing
Young guinea pigs were anaesthetised, electrodes placed under their skin, and their brain's response to sound was measured. All guinea pigs had one ear damaged, some both ears, before all were killed.
Studying changes in the inner ear due to inflammation
Guinea pigs were injected into the ear with bacteria. Medical scans were done after injecting chemicals, and most were killed for dissection.
Studying the effects of medication on memory
Guinea pigs were force-fed different drugs and later tested in a water maze before some were killed. Another group was exposed to carbon dioxide and decapitated.
Studying how anaesthetics affect intestine movement
Guinea pigs and rats were anaesthetised, then dissected, and then killed, in that order.
Testing motherly instinct towards foster pups
Mice of different “status” (never pregnant, pregnant, new mums) were made to rescue foster pups they didn’t know from several places. Transgenic mice lacking a prolactin brain receptor were tested for anxiety behaviour in the standard elevated-plus-maze.
Testing new cancer vaccines
Mice were injected with cancer cells, followed by one of several potential vaccines. They were killed when tumours reached a certain size, or it became otherwise inhumane to keep them alive.
Testing if pregnancy affects the healing of teeth
Pregnant and non-pregnant mice were taken. After the pregnant ones gave birth, all mice were anaesthetised. Some of their teeth were forcefully moved. Two weeks later, all were killed.
Testing the effect of obesity during pregnancy
Pregnant mice were fed high-fat diets and had their babies removed via caesarean section. The foetuses were decapitated. Other newborn mice were separated to record their calls.
Testing how motherly mice are
Transgenic mice were compared to “normal” mice on rescuing pups and how they care for their babies. They were mated, gave birth, and then put through behavioural tests involving newborn mice. After a few weeks, they were killed.
Testing a medicine against drug addiction
Mice's tails were dunked in hot water. Rats were put through cycles of drug-seeking and withdrawal using self-injection of cocaine. Other rats were injected, and their behaviour was tested (with the notorious Forces Swim Test, among others).
Teaching animal researchers
A range of animals is used to teach researchers handling and experimental methods.
Testing the viability of xenotransplantation using islet capsules
Newborn piglets were killed for their pancreas. Encapsulated pancreas cells were then implanted into young mice, who were killed later to retrieve the capsules.
Studying the digestion of kiwifruit
Pigs were surgically fitted with an outside access to their intestine. Faeces were collected through anal stimulation, and samples were taken from the intestine for six-hour periods.
Testing feed supplements for their performance
Pigs were fed diets with different organic acids added. At a specific weight, they were slaughtered to collect samples.
Comparing the digestion of egg white in different forms
Pigs were acclimated to eating egg whites of different textures. After being deprived of water for two hours, they were fed again and then killed in intervals over six hours.
Testing ways of injecting nicotine
Pigs were anaesthetised and injected with nicotine through different methods. Blood samples were taken for two hours before the pigs were killed.
Measuring brain response to tail-docking
Piglets were bought at one to fifteen days old and anaesthetised. Their tails were cut off while measuring brain activity, and then they were killed.
Testing how cooking affects beef digestion
Pigs were fed ground beef for three days, either raw or cooked. They were then killed to cut out a part of their intestine.
Trialling a method to measure intestine fermentation
Young pigs were fed a test diet for two weeks while confined in metabolic chambers. After that, they were killed with an anaesthetic injected into the heart.
Testing how to gas piglets
Piglets were gassed plastic box to record their behaviour and vital signs.
Testing the accuracy of heart activity measurements
Pigs were anaesthetised, their open chests were equipped with electrodes and closed again. After measurements, the hearts were stopped, images were taken, and the hearts were removed.
Testing cholesterol absorption from baby formula
One-week-old piglets were kept in metabolic crates and fed baby formula for three weeks. They were then anaesthetised and killed to be dissected.
Studying the digestion of protein through serial slaughter
Ninety young pigs were housed individually for 13 days; their diet contained kiwi fruit and beef. All were killed to be dissected.
Studying the inner functions of the heart
Pigs were anaesthetised and their chests were cut open. Electrodes were inserted into their hearts so measurements could be taken before their hearts were removed.
Testing the effect of pain killers during tail docking
Piglets were anaesthetised and their tails were removed using different methods. During these procedures, the heart and brain activity of the pigs were measured.
Testing if pigs spread kauri tree sickness
A group of pigs was fed infected kauri roots for one day, and their faeces were collected for a week. Over 270 wild pigs were shot, and their stomach contents was sampled.
Trialing xenotransplantation for diabetes
Four pigs were used to harvest cells for transplantation into humans.
Studying sow and piglet behaviour in crates and pens
Sows and their newborn piglets were put in tightly confined crates or pens with slightly more room and their behaviour was observed.
Studying how ageing affects brain chemistry
Rats were kept in germ-free, individual cages before being killed. Their brains were used for tests.
Studying teen binge drinking
Young rats were force-fed alcohol repeatedly. Each time, blood samples were taken, and some were killed to take their brains after each alcohol day. The remaining rats were put through behavioural tests a few months later.
Teaching animal researchers
A range of animals is used to teach researchers handling and experimental methods.
Testing medications for drug addiction
Rats were taught to inject themselves with cocaine when they pressed a lever. Through many cycles of establishment and withdrawal, medications were tested for their effect on drug-seeking behaviour. Other rats were tested for their activity level on cocaine with or without medication. Some were put into water-filled cylinders to examine if medication influences how long they swim.
Testing effects of meth on brain protein
Rats were taught to inject themselves with meth or a saline solution when they pressed a lever. After 20 days, there were two weeks of abstinence. In the end, all were killed to dissect their brains.
Testing new drug formulations
Rats and rabbits were injected with a new anaesthetic, pinching their paw repeatedly to measure reflexes. Rats were giving the medication until they died.
Testing blood pressure drugs against seizures
Rats were implanted with devices to measure heart and brain activity through induced seizures without being anaesthetised. They were killed two days later, and their hearts were taken.
Studying the effect of prolactin on the brain
Virgin rats and rats who recently gave birth had a cannula (tube) placed in their brain and were injected with medication. They were injected with prolactin after two days and killed an hour later to dissect their brains.
Testing a surgical treatment for hypertension with diabetes
Transgenic rats were injected to develop diabetes. Their kidney nerves were surgically destroyed. They were restrained for measurements and sampling regularly. In the end, they were all killed.
Testing a new pain medication
Rats were operated on to cause pain build-up in their hind leg. After 10 days, they were injected with different variations of a drug or just a control solution. The effect was tested by poking their hurting leg and having them balance.
Trying to study depressants and antidepressants
Rats were kept isolated or in groups for nine weeks. They were injected with different drugs and put through behavioural tests (the notorious Forced Swim Test, among others). In the end, all were killed.
Studying how anaesthetics affect intestine movement
Guinea pigs and rats were anaesthetised, then dissected, and then killed, in that order.
Studying hormone sensitivity of the brain
Female rats were mated, gave birth and cared for their babies for three weeks. They had prolactin injected below the skull. They were killed, and their brains were removed.
Harvesting rabbit and rat hearts for lab tests
NZ White rabbits and rats were killed to use their hearts in lab tests.
Testing digestion of a pig food
Rats were fed a pig food and killed to examine their intestines.
Testing how heart calcium metabolism is different in species
Guinea pigs and rats were decapitated, and their hearts were quickly removed to study them.
Testing out cloning as a breeding tool
Cloned embryos were implanted into 17 mother sheep. Two sheep were killed when induction did not work. The lambs survived only minutes.
Undernourishing sheep to test glucose metabolism of their babies
Sheep were fed normally or only every three days. Some were killed during pregnancy. Born lambs were subjected to repeated glucose tolerance tests and killed.
Testing a medication for vocal chord injuries
Sheep were anaesthetised, tissue samples were taken from their vocal folds, and most were treated with different medications. All were killed after one month.
Testing if pre-term birth injections compromise glucose metabolism
Pre-term and full-term lambs were subjected to glucose tests, regular blood samples and a constant glucose infusion. Some were killed at four weeks, the rest at one-year-old.
Studying the effect of Huntington’s disease on ageing
Transgenic sheep were produced through breeding, and blood samples were taken.
Testing a first aide drug for severe bleeding
Sheep were anaesthetised and 30% of their blood was drained. After being treated with different medications, the drained blood was returned, and the sheep were killed.
Studying ear posture while in pain
Lambs had their tails docked with a tight rubber band without pain relief. Their pain behaviour was recorded.
Teaching animal researchers
A range of animals is used to teach researchers handling and experimental methods.
Training students in surgical procedures
Pigs and sheep were used for training future surgeons.
Teaching students surgical techniques
Sheep and pigs were used and killed in teaching students.
Studying effects of stunning before slaughter
Calves and sheep were anaesthetised. Some got 70-volt shocks to the shoulder. Others had a nerve exposed and stimulated before being stunned or cutting their throat.
Testing efficiency of strip-sowing 1080 bait
The toxin ‘1080’ was distributed as complete coverage and in a strip pattern. Effects on the wild rabbit numbers were evaluated.
Testing new formulations of eye medication
The eyes of albino rabbits were treated with different medications. At regular intervals, several of them were killed.
Taking blood samples over several days
Two New Zealand white rabbits were anaesthetised and restrained. Catheters were put into their ear veins to inject a solution and take regular blood samples.
Harvesting rabbit caecum for more lab tests
Domestic dwarf rabbits were anaesthetised, their caecum was cut out, and then they were killed.
Using rabbits as a model for human atherosclerosis
NZ White rabbits were fed pellets with or without added cholesterol for 10 weeks. They were killed with anaesthetic and taking blood from their heart until it stopped.
Testing new drug formulations
NZ White rabbits were given a new drug formulation or ketamine. Righting reflex, paw withdrawal, and blood parameters were checked every minute.
Infecting rabbits with a virus to have more samples of it
Samples of dead wild rabbits were taken to collect virus material. The virus was then used to infect rabbits and analyse their tissue.
Injuring the sinus tract to test medication
NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, and the sinus tracts in their nose were purposely injured to the bone. Two weeks after treatment, they were killed.
Teaching animal researchers
A range of animals is used to teach researchers handling and experimental methods.
Testing new drug formulations
Rats and rabbits were injected with a new anaesthetic, pinching their paw repeatedly to measure reflexes. Rats were giving the medication until they died.
Testing the behaviour of a drug in rabbits’ blood
NZ White rabbits were infused with different medications, and blood samples were taken regularly for 24 hours.
Testing a new drug delivery formulation
NZ White rabbits were injected with a radioactive solution, wrapped tightly, and recorded this way for 90min.
Placing metal into rabbits’ jaws
NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, and metal spheres were placed into their jaws. X-rays were taken to measure bone growth.
Using rabbits as glaucoma surgery model
The eyes of NZ White rabbits were surgically opened and treated with different solutions. At intervals, some were killed to analyse the eye tissue.
Monitoring vital signs of rabbits during intercourse
NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised and implanted with devices to measure vital signs. They were then monitored during intercourse.
Harvesting rabbit caecum for lab tests
Domesticated rabbits were anaesthetised. Part of their digestive tract was removed, and then they were killed.
