- About us
- The members of Center for Experimental and Comparative Studies
- The laboratory services
- Laboratory animal science
- Contact us
The Center for Experimental and Comparative Studies at Avicenna Research Institute (ARI) is dedicated to the production, maintenance, and breeding of laboratory animals essential for research purposes. The center is designed to meet the highest standards for the breeding and care of laboratory animals, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. It aims to provide comprehensive services to students, researchers, and scientists interested in the field. Furthermore, the center features a dedicated clean room specifically designed for the breeding and housing of NU/NU nude mouse. In addition to offering sales and maintenance services for this particular breed, the center also provides services such as injections, blood sampling, and modeling on nude mice.
Moreover, the center boasts a well-equipped embryology laboratory, which allows for quality control services related to equipment and production materials in the field of embryology. These services are extended not only to knowledge-based companies and incubator centers but also to esteemed researchers.
Services offered by this center include:
- Maintenance, breeding, and reproduction of various mouse strains:
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BALB/C NUDE NU/NU
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BALB/C
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NMRI
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C57
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Expert advice and consultation on pre-clinical research projects
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Dedicated facilities and standardized maintenance conditions for the following animal species:
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Wistar rat
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White New Zealand Rabbit
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Mice
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Guinea pig
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Conducting a wide range of interventions including various injection techniques and blood sampling methods
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Generating diverse animal models specifically tailored for preclinical studies
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Performing autopsies and collecting samples for further analysis
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Conducting monitoring tests
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Zahra Saffarian (Board Certified in Veterinary Surgery from Tehran University and manager of the center)
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Farhad Hosseini (Animal Laboratory Assistant)
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Ebrahim Afsharnia (Animal Laboratory Assistant)
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Amir Hossein Khorshid (Animal Laboratory Technician)
The services provided by the center include:
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Induction of various tumor lines in immunodeficient mice using different induction methods
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Implantation of tissue and biological materials in immunodeficient mice
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Conducting all research studies related to immunodeficient mice in accordance with standard and sterile conditions
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Implantation of biological materials for safety testing in laboratory animals
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Formation and treatment of wounds in Balb/C mice
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Induction of azoospermia model in Balb/C mice
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Creation of (osteo)chondral lesions using different methods and subsequent treatment
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Establishment of spine and spinal cord injuries models using various animal models
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Development of diabetic and wound models using C57 mouse animal model
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Induction of tendon lesions and utilization of scaffolds in the rabbit animal model
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Collection of tissue samples for cell isolation
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Basic sampling procedures conducted under the supervision of a veterinary pathologist
Laboratory animals
Laboratory animals encompass various vertebrate species, including common laboratory animals, quadrupeds, wildlife, and aquatic species, which are bred and utilized for research, testing, and educational purposes. It is imperative that all animals involved in these activities are provided with the highest standard of care and humane conditions. The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals serves as a strong advocate for the welfare of animals and emphasizes that individuals involved in their care, utilization, or production for research, testing, or teaching must assume responsibility for their well-being. This guide, authored by scientists and veterinarians for their professional peers and the wider community, aims to uphold the scientific rigor and integrity of biomedical research involving laboratory animals. Scientists and researchers are ethically obligated to consider alternative animal methods and ethical concerns while pursuing new scientific advancements and knowledge that involve the use of these animals. The three R's (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) should be integral to the decision-making process:
- Nude Mice
Type:
- Immunodeficient, Inbred Nude Mice: NU/J
Coat color:
- Homozygous: Hairless and pigmentless
- Heterozygous: Hairy and albino
Gestation period: 21 days
Recommended Storage Temperature: 26-28 degrees Celsius
Due to their immunodeficiency, nude mice have proven to be valuable assets in various fields of biomedical research, including drug discovery, xenotransplantation, and cancer research. These mice carry a deletion in the FOXN1 gene, resulting in the absence of the thymus gland and impaired T-cell maturation. As a consequence, nude mice may exhibit sparse and structurally deficient fur or whiskers that are prone to breakage during growth. Furthermore, they do not produce mature T-cells and typically have lower levels of circulating lymphocytes compared to normal or heterozygous mice. This immune deficiency also leads to a lack of antibody production, allowing foreign cells or tissues to grow and integrate into the host mouse.
Collectively, these characteristics render nude mice an excellent model for transplanting tumor cells, understanding the mechanisms underlying tumor malignancy, and evaluating the efficacy of potential therapies. Inbred strains are created through at least 20 generations of sibling or parent-offspring matings, resulting in a genetically homogeneous background. This genetic consistency enables reliable and reproducible growth of allogeneic cell lines. Nude mice are typically housed in specific pathogen-free (SPF) environments. This involves subjecting food, bedding, water containers, and cages to autoclaving and sterilization processes. Additionally, the mice are provided with acidified water. Access to the mice is restricted to authorized personnel who follow strict protocols, including wearing protective footwear, clothing, gloves, hair coverings, and cleanroom masks. Regular screening for pathogenic organisms is also conducted. The cages housing the mice are autoclaved and maintained in racks equipped with HEPA-filtered laminar airflow systems. All research studies involving nude mice are conducted within laminar hoods equipped with HEPA filters, ensuring positive pressure and optimal conditions for the specific research being performed.
- BALB/C Mice
Type:
- Mus musculus
Coat color:
- Albino, white
Origin:
- From the same bloodline
Age of sexual maturity:
- 6 weeks
Gestation period:
- 20 days
Optimal reproductive age span:
- 7-8 months
Breastfeeding period:
- 3 weeks, until the weight reaches 10 grams
Ideal storage temperature:
- 20-24°C (litters: 30-32°C)
Ideal humidity:
- 45-65%
Lifespan:
- Up to 36 months old
Nocturnal animals
Hearing range: 1 kHz - 100 kHz
Highly social animals
Suitable for:
- Creating animal models of cancer tumors
- Production of monoclonal antibodies
- Cardiovascular research
- Testing different chemotherapy drugs and vaccines
- C57BL/6 Mice
Type:
- Mus musculus
Coat color:
- Black
Origin:
- From the same bloodline
Age of sexual maturity:
- 6 weeks
Gestation period:
- 20 days
Optimal reproductive age span:
- 7-8 months
Breastfeeding period:
- 3 weeks, until the weight reaches 10 grams
Ideal storage temperature:
- 20-24°C (litters: 30-32°C)
Ideal humidity:
- 45-65%
Lifespan:
- 27-29 months
Nocturnal animals
High sensitivity to smell and sound, as well as to pain and cold stimuli
Limited response to painkillers
The second mammal to have its whole genome sequenced, following humans
Suitable for creating models of diabetes and obesity
Useful for genetic studies
Suitable for developing Alzheimer's disease models, models of multiple sclerosis (MS)
An animal model for epilepsy
Suitable for studying blood pressure
- NMRI Mice
Type:
- Mus musculus
Origin:
- Outbred
Coat color:
- White, albino
Shorter lifespan
Easy to handle and manage in laboratory settings
Suitable for toxicity studies, teratology research, ascites models, pharmacological studies, and physiological investigations
- Wistar Rat
Type:
- Rattus Norvegicus Domestica
Coat color:
- White, albino
Origin:
- Outbred
Age of sexual maturity:
- 10-20 weeks
Gestation period:
- 20-22 days
Optimal reproductive age span:
- 9-10 months
Ideal storage temperature:
- 20-24°C
Ideal humidity:
- 45-65%
Lifespan:
- 27-29 months
Nocturnal animals
Poor vision
Playful animals
Suitable for ophthalmology studies, nutrition research, metabolism studies, cancer research, toxicology studies, creating models of diabetes and metabolic syndrome, studying acute lymphocytic leukemia, stroke research, and investigating Alzheimer's disease
- New Zealand White Rabbit
Type:
- Oryctolagus Cuniculus
Coat color:
- White, albino
Origin:
- Outbred
Age of sexual maturity:
- 10-20 weeks (Ideal gestation period: 5-8 months)
Gestation period:
- 28-35 days
Optimal reproductive age span:
- 9-10 months
Ideal storage temperature:
- 17-21°C
Ideal humidity:
- 30-70 %
Lifespan:
- 5-7 years
Playful Animals
Easy to handle
Social
Suitable for toxicity studies, assessing drug sensitivity, antibody production, conducting ophthalmic sensitivity and inflammation tests, nutrition research, metabolism studies, and investigating tissue engineering in hard tissues such as bone, joints, and skull
