Frequently Asked Questions about Nonhuman Primates in Research
How can the NPRCs help my research?
The seven National Primate Research Centers (NPRCs) are a national network of dedicated teams fighting diseases from Alzheimer’s to Zika and improving human and animal health and lives worldwide.
In partnership with the National Institutes of Health and others, the NPRCs conduct and enable approximately 1,000 research studies annually for NIH-funded researchers.
The National Primate Research Centers offer many specialized services to support nonhuman primate research. These services include computational data analysis, endocrine technologies, high throughput molecular profiling, next generation genomics, virologic and immunologic assays, and more. Contact the NPRCs for more information.
What laws and regulations govern research with animals?
The NPRCs are committed to providing high quality, compassionate care for research animals. Better care means less stress for the animals and, therefore, helps ensure research results are scientifically valid. As part of the NPRCs’ commitment to high-quality care, the NPRCs follow regulations and guidelines from the:National Institutes of Health (NIH) – the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) administers the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy). This policy requires research institutions to ensure appropriate care, welfare and use of all animals involved in research the PHS conducts or supports. In addition, the PHS Policy requires institutions to use the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (“the Guide”), which sets the framework for the humane care and use of laboratory animals and to submit a legal Assurance to OLAW that confirms compliance with the Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. This legal Assurance includes descriptions of the facilities, equipment, personnel and policies, especially as they relate to each center’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and to veterinary care.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA is responsible for establishing standards and enforcing the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), a federal law governing and regulating the use of animals in research. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) enforces the AWA and conducts unannounced inspections at the NPRCs on an annual basis.
NPRC-specific institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC) –
The IACUC reviews each proposed research protocol looking for, among other things: scientific validity, provisions for use of non-animal research models, statistical validity and measures for the animals’ comfort and well-being. The IACUC has the authority to approve or reject any research protocol. The IACUC also evaluates the entire animal program twice a year, inspecting animal facilities, making recommendations regarding an institution’s animal program, facilities or personnel training, reviewing requests for research protocol modifications and ensuring research is in accordance with approved protocols and animals are cared for in a manner that adheres to the standards set forth in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
What is AAALAC Accreditation?
AAALAC International is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary accreditation and assessment programs. In addition to federal rules and regulations, all NPRCs maintain full AAALAC Accreditation, which is recognized as the gold standard for laboratory animal care. More than 1,100 companies, universities, hospitals, government agencies and other research institutions in 50 countries/regions have earned AAALAC accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to responsible animal care and use. These institutions volunteer to participate in AAALAC’s program, in addition to complying with all applicable local and national laws that regulate animal research.
Who takes care of animals at the NPRCs?
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians and animal care technicians take care of the animals. Colony management and behavioral specialists also provide care for NPRC animals. Many of the NPRC veterinarians are board certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM), which is a specialty board recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Many other animal care personnel hold certifications from the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).
The majority of nonhuman primates at the NPRCs live in multi-family groups in large outdoor enclosures. Animals housed indoor live in groups or pairs, unless scientists can demonstrate how social housing would significantly compromise research goals.
Regular veterinary care includes daily health checks and biannual physicals, as well as immunizations, provision of analgesia, dental care, physical therapy, surgical care and obstetric services as needed. NPRC personnel train the NHPs to cooperate with husbandry procedures and research. Behavioral enrichment is provided in the form of food treats, toys, foraging boards, mirrors, hammocks, swings, tunnels and other activities to keep the animals physically and mentally engaged and healthy.