Mr Jens Cameron, DiLab, Sweden; Dr Christina Jacobson, AstraZeneca R&D, Sweden; Dr Kenneth Nilsson, Halmstad University, Sweden; Professor Thorsteinn Rögnvaldsson, Halmstad University, Swede
Abstract
Laboratory rodents are today identified using methods such as tattoos, ear clips or implanted transponders. These methods are invasive and can cause pain and/or distress for the animal, with associated ethical issues. A new method is presented here which relies on each animal’s innate physical characteristics for identification and is inspired by fingerprint identification of human individuals. The new method, which uses blood vessel patterns in the ear as unique identification traits, is non-invasive and painless and seems to be as accurate as fingerprint identification for humans.
The full text of the article is available from the NC3Rs website by clicking on the title above. About NC3Rs: The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research provides a UK focus for the promotion, development and implementation of the 3Rs in animal research and testing.