Conference Paper
The importance of health monitoring in Astyanax mexicanus
Fernández, A.A., Evans, E.I. and Baumann, D.P.
Record Number:
4279
Year:
2019
Journal:
AIM 2019
Pages:
31
Abstract:
Astyanax mexicanus is becoming an increasingly important model organism in biomedical
research. To achieve high quality data, representative results, and reproducible experiments, it is
important to ensure that fish are raised and housed under rigorous health standards. Providing a
health monitoring program helps minimize the impact of infectious diseases on animal health,
protect human health, and reduce the effects of uncontrolled variables on experimental results.
Ultimately, a good health program contributes to good science. The Cavefish Facility at the
Stowers Institute for Medical Research has developed an integrated facility health management
program designed to minimize the presence of pathogens and to provide an early detection when
absence is not achieved. The work presented here offers strategies, methods, and outcomes of
this program. Aspects of our health management program include facility design, biosecurity,
husbandry, and containment measures. Additionally, our standardized health monitoring and
sentinel program are discussed in detail. We also share diagnoses and health and aggression
problems, including some case studies. We hope that presenting the steps our facility has
implemented and the results we obtained will open a discussion with other facilities to compare,
expand, and share methods that will lead to increased fish health, welfare, and performance for
the whole Astyanax community.
Times Cited:
1
Conference Name:
Astyanax Interrnational Meeting
Relevent Species: