臺灣農藥科學第一期

臺灣農藥科學　第

期

204

International Trends in Toxicological Testing on

Experimental Animals:

In Vitro

Micronucleus Test,

Acute Oral Toxicity Test, and Skin Sensitization Test

Yen-Yun Lee

, Jin-Yi Chang

, Wei-Ren Tsai

, Wei-Jia Wu

Abstract

Lee, Y. Y., Chang, J. Y., Tsai, W. R., and Wu, W. J. 2016. International trends in toxicological testing

on experimental animals:

in vitro

micronucleus test, acute oral toxicity test, and skin sensitization test.

Taiwan Pestic. Sci. 1: 195-205.

Scientific advances in the fields of medicine, biology, and agriculture have only been

possible thanks to the use of experimental animals. Although obtaining useful data can

sometimes require the sacrifice of experimental animals, humans must remember that

these animals are a form of life that deserve respect. As a result, concepts pertaining to the

protection and welfare of experimental animals have existed as early as 1959, when Russell

and Burch

(36)

proposed the Three Rs (i.e., 3Rs: replacement, reduction, refinement) as

guiding principles for the more ethical use of animals in testing. Today, the 3Rs are accepted

as standard guidelines to improve the welfare of experimental animals. To meet these

guidelines, new techniques and regulations for toxicological testing have been developed.

For example, in 2010, the European Union adopted Directive 2010/63/EU to regulate the

protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. Specifically, this

directive sought to reduce the pain and suffering of experimental animals, improve animal

welfare, and encourage the consideration of alternative testing methods. Furthermore, a

copy of the institutional IACUC approval document and complete descriptions of anesthesia

and operation procedures are now required to publish an animal testing report. To meet

international standards pertaining to animal care and use, in 2009, the Taiwan Agricultural

Chemicals and Toxic Substances Research Institute (TACTRI) adopted several modern

toxicological testing methods, including the

In Vitro

Mammalian Cell Micronucleus Test

(OECD 487), the Acute Oral Toxicity: Up-and-Down Procedure (OECD 425 and USEPA

870.1100), and the Local Lymph Node Assay for Skin Sensitization (OECD 442B), which are

Accepted: September 8, 2016.

* Corresponding author, Email:

Taiwan Agricultural Chemicals and Toxic Substances Research Institute, Council of Agriculture. Taichung.