Inside AstraZeneca: 4 Practical Lessons for 3Rs Implementation

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  Think about the 3Rs early

  The 3Rs should shape decisions before a study begins. Dr Nacel points to options such as in vitro or in silico models where appropriate, stronger study design, and sharing data or resources to avoid unnecessary duplication.

  Considering these opportunities early can improve both animal welfare and study quality, and one change may support more than one of the 3Rs.

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  Check what the science says

  Any change also needs to preserve the quality of the science. In one AstraZeneca study, the team tested whether females could replace males in a specific model, which would reduce the need for individual housing and improve animal welfare.

  They found no significant difference in the key results, showing that welfar could be improved without compromising the study.

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  Make sharing easier

  A manual system for tissue requests made coordination difficult and may have led to missed sharing opportunities.

  The AstraZeneca team introduced a simple digital process that made requests easier to submit and track. This improved sharing, reduced duplicated work, and helped limit unnecessary animal use and purchasing.

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  Support changes with clear training

  Dr Nacel recommended short demonstrations and practice to refine technique, starting small and reviewing any challenges before expanding. Visual training helps by showing procedures step by step, and providing one reliable resource staff can revisit.

  Effective training benefits both welfare and research quality: Dr Nacel reported that refined handling can make mice less anxious, while lower stress levels may also reduce unwanted variability in behavioral and physiological data.

Applying the 3Rs requires access to current methods and clear examples of how they are performed. JoVE’s Lab Animal Research collection brings together expert-reviewed videos across multiple species, covering current animal welfare practices, the 3Rs, NAMs. 

Explore how JoVE's video resources support 3Rs-aligned lab animal research.