

#3 Short Plastic Shoe Box

8 x 17 x 6 inch polycarbonate cage.

#3 Tall Plastic Shoe Box

8 x 17 x 7 inch polycarbonate cage.


Anesthesia and analgesia.


AAALAC International (AAALAC) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the humane treatment of animals in science through voluntary program assessments and subsequent accreditation.


American Animal Hospital Association.


Condition departing from the normal strain specific expectations; irregularity.

Accessory Basket

Wire basket used to hold small items that need to be washed such as sipper tubes, cage card holders, reusable enrichment devices, etc. A lid must be placed on the accessory basket before processing through cage wash machines.


For the purpose of the Policy on the Restraint of Research Animals, acclimation is defined as the process used to condition an animal to prolonged physical restraint.

Acclimation Period

The time period provided to an animal after shipment to allow physiological and psychological stabilization prior to any experimental manipulation.


A colored, plastic card placed over animal cage cards that aid in communication between husbandry, ULAM veterinary, and Investigative personnel. Acetate colors correspond to a specific animal care procedure and could be red, green, clear, yellow or blue. In certain settings, such as aquatic or outdoor housing areas, acetates may not be easily utilized. In those cases, animal identification procedures should be agreed upon by veterinary and investigative personnel as needed and communications will be documented in relevant medical records.

Acetate Label

A sticker or white piece of tape placed on the acetate describing information regarding animals within that cage.

Active Case

Those involving animals currently being treated and/or monitored for a clinical condition, or an experimental condition (e.g. tumor burden, food and water restriction, etc).


Animal Care & Use Office. The ACUO works hand-in-hand with researchers and the IACUC to ensure that all projects adhere to University policies and federal laws that require a review of projects for the humane treatment and judicious use of vertebrate animals.

ACUP Compliance Committee (ACC)

A subcommittee of IACUC members that is chaired by the IACUC Vice-Chair. The ACC is tasked with conducting the initial assessment of an allegation or report and fulfilling the purpose of the Policy on Investigating Noncompliance and Animal Welfare Concerns. The ACC includes, at minimum, the IACUC Vice-Chair, a non-affiliated IACUC member, and at least one other faculty scientific IACUC member.

An ACUO Compliance Consultant and a designated faculty veterinarian will also be part of the committee to provide support. If allegations or inquiries include a safety or hazardous materials component, a member of Environment, Health and Safety will be added as an ad hoc consultant to the ACC. Appointment to the subcommittee is at the discretion of the ACUO Director and terms are for one year.

Acute Use

Animal involved in a study at the University of Michigan, which has a terminal endpoint within seven days of their arrival.


American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.

Ad Libitum

Unlimited supply of food or water.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Complex chemical that is present in all organic material and is the universal source of energy used by all living cells (including bacteria).  As such, ATP monitoring can be used to quickly assess the sanitization of surfaces or liquid samples.  The presence of ATP indicates the presence of organic material, and so a high level of ATP indicates a lack of effective sanitization.


Pharmacological or immunological agent that modifies the effect of other agents (e.g., drugs, vaccines) while having few if any direct effects when given by itself.

Adolescent Rhesus or Baboon

Age between 1-7 years old.


Fish over 90 days old.

Adult Pig

Any pig older than 8 weeks of age.

Adult Rhesus or Baboon

Greater than 7 years old.

Adverse Event

An unexpected incident that leads to harm or endangers the well-being of animals and/or humans.

Aeration Phase

Last phase of a cycle that circulates the VHP through a catalytic filter to break it down into water vapor and oxygen.  Length of this cycle depends on room dimensions.


A reported concern that may potentially be an incident of noncompliance, an unanticipated adverse event, or a circumstance that may endanger the well-being of an animal and/or human. The report may be a written or oral communication to any ACUP staff member.

Allegation and Report Assessment

A review by the ACUP Compliance Committee of the available evidence/information to determine if an allegation or report is credible, specific, and meets the requirements for proceeding to an inquiry.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

An association representing veterinarians across the United States focusing on advancing the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health.


Continually released by fish and frogs in their waste, also caused by uneaten food and decaying organic matter; high levels prevent normal respiration and lead to suppressed immune systems. Recommended level = 0 ppm.


Provides pain relief without loss of consciousness.


This encompasses both of the following definitions:

  1. Local Anesthesia: Temporarily induces loss of sensation to a specific part of the body. May provide pain relief.
  2. Systemic Anesthesia: Temporarily induces loss of sensation with loss of consciousness. Only provides pain relief due to or during loss of consciousness.

Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (ADL)

Animal Diagnostic Laboratory, part of the Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine's In-Vivo Animal Core (IVAC).

Animal Enrichment Database (AED)

The central database used to track the approval status and details of all enrichment methods and items used.

Animal Health Contact

The person(s) listed as such on the animal use protocol and the cage card.

Animal Housing Cubicle

A small, self-contained animal housing room constructed within a larger room.

Animal Room Log (e.g. "Room Sheet")

The daily dated log sheet used by husbandry and/or lab staff who do their own care; to record environmental conditions and daily care routines for both animal rooms and non-animal support space (see Non-Animal Support Space Procedures and Documentation SOP).

Animal Space

Includes animal housing rooms or any animal procedure room that can also be used as animal housing space.

Animal Treatment Check-off Sheet

A full-page form which lists an animal's treatments over time, with areas for treatments to be checked off and initialed as they are completed. This is one method for documenting treatments.

Animal Treatment Report (ATR)

A form completed by husbandry personnel requesting veterinary personnel to examine the animal(s).  ATRs can be submitted either in paper format or electronically, depending on the species involved.

Animal Use Protocol (AUP)

Animal Use Protocol. A detailed description of the proposed use of laboratory animals. Approved by the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC).