These questions should be considered in completing the AUPP.
- What are the scientific justifications for using the proposed endpoint?
- What is the expected time course for the animals, from initial treatment to first signs of pain/distress, to the death of the animal, based on previous information with the specific model under study?
- When are the effects to the animal expected to be the most severe?
- If the course of the disease and expected signs of the adverse effects are unknown, could an initial (pilot study, under close observation by the investigator and/or laboratory animal veterinary staff) answer these questions?
- Has a checklist of observations, on which the endpoint will be based, been established?
- Who will monitor the animals (ID all responsible) and keep records?
- Has a clear chain of reporting observations been established?
- What will be the frequency of animal observations: a) during the course of the study; and b) during critical times for the animals?
- Do the investigators, animal care and technical staff have the training and expertise to monitor the animals adequately?
- What provisions have been made to deal with any animals that show unexpectedly severe signs and symptoms?
- For toxicological studies, have existing toxicological data been evaluated?
For more information, go to the CCAC guidelines on: choosing an appropriate endpoint in experiments using animals for research, teaching and testing, 1998 (.pdf)