{'fraction_non_alphanumeric': 0.013294557540506855, 'fraction_numerical': 0.0016618196925633569, 'mean_word_length': 5.253246753246753, 'pattern_counts': {'":': 0, '<': 0, '<?xml version=': 0, '>': 0, 'https://': 0, 'lorem ipsum': 0, 'www.': 0, 'xml': 0}, 'pii_count': 0, 'substrings_counts': 0, 'word_list_counts': {'cursed_substrings.json': 0, 'profanity_word_list.json': 0, 'sexual_word_list.json': 0, 'zh_pornsignals.json': 0}}
Recognition and Alleviation of Pain in Laboratory Animals

Over the last few years, there has been an increasing interest in the ethical aspects related to the use of animals in research, with particular attention to pain and distress associated with experimental procedures. Back in 1992, the National Research Council (NRC) published the report Recognition and Alleviation of Pain and Distress in Laboratory Animals. Although pain and distress are often addressed together as components of the animal’s wellbeing, they differ from the physiological and management point of view. The significant scientific progress made since the publication of the first report made an update necessary, and quite rightly, the NRC decided to address both arguments separately. In 2008 it published Recognition and Alleviation of Distress in Laboratory Animals and now comes the present title that deals with the recognition and alleviation of pain in various vertebrate species used in research. The two reports can be read independently but readers interested in animal welfare should benefit from reading both together. Contributions to the book came from members of the NRC’s Committee on Recognition and Alleviation of Pain in Laboratory Animals, and the draft report was peerreviewed by a group of individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise. This extensive review procedure combined with the participation of professionals in the field with different backgrounds ensures that the final report represents a broad view within the laboratory animal science community. The book starts with a very practical Glossary of commonly used terms followed by a brief Summary and Introduction that sets the background and states the purpose of the report. The report itself is organized into five chapters and takes the reader through a logical sequence. The first chapter introduces the definition of pain, underlining the differences between nociception and pain, and analyses the evidence available to support the underlying premise of the book that all vertebrates can experience (conscious) pain. The main argument dealt with on the second chapter is the physiological and anatomical basis of nociception and pain, helping to thoroughly understand the difference between both, and more importantly the implications for animal welfare. In the last part of the book, the authors deal with the more practical aspects and dedicate the next two chapters to recognize and assess the intensity of pain in animals and the strategies adopted to effectively manage pain in a research setting. The review includes all methods currently available such as behavioural assessment, measurement of nociceptive responses (analgesiometry tests), use of biomarkers and brain activity imaging. A broad range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies to prevent or treat pain is described in depth. Last but certainly not least comes a chapter covering the important issue of humane endpoints, which in a research setting is central to any strategy dedicated to reduce or avoid unnecessary pain and distress, without compromising the scientific validity of the studies. In addition, specific issues in each chapter are further developed within boxes, and the chapter ends up with concise conclusions and recommendations, as well as an updated list of references. This structure has the advantage of allowing different reading levels according to the needs and interests of the readers. The book is well written and easy to follow, even for those readers not familiar with the subject. Each chapter can be read independently, with the disadvantage that some of basic concepts are treated more than once making it redundant on occasions (particularly at the beginning). The Commission has included information on the treatment and management of pain for the less common laboratory animal species (birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians) based on the wider availability of practical data for the most common species. I feel that the addition of an appendix including such data for all laboratory species would improve the final result and allow this report to become a reference handbook in the field. Although the conclusions and recommendations section at the end of each chapter represents the view of the authoring committee, the report leaves space to different views and to debate the more controversial or undefined issues. This approach together with the large number of references given allows the reader to enter into the arguments and develop a personal view. I would highly recommend this book to a wide audience, from laboratory animal veterinarians who need to keep abreast of new developments in the field, to researchers who want to find a deeper insight into the behaviour of the animals they use.