Animal Research at Nottingham

FAQs

Which species of animal are housed in the laboratory facilities at Nottingham?
In common with many UK animal facilities, the University of Nottingham holds mice, rats, rabbits, guinea-pigs, hamsters and ferrets. In addition zebra-fish, sticklebacks and amphibians are also held. Cattle, sheep, pigs and fowl are used in agricultural and veterinary research.
 
Which areas of research at the University of Nottingham involve the use of animals?

Research involving animals is vital to the continued advancement of medical, veterinary and scientific knowledge in a wide range of disciplines. These include: cancer research, diseases associated with ageing, infection and immunity, obesity, diabetes, veterinary and agricultural research.

 
Do you test cosmetics and/or household products on animals?
No cosmetic or safety testing is undertaken at the University of Nottingham. Cosmetic testing is not allowed in the UK.
 
Why do you have to use animals? What about alternative methods?

The University of Nottingham is committed to the 3R's - Reduction, Refinement and Replacement. The University applies these principles wherever possible when conducting research involving animals. We will use alternative technologies wherever feasible. In some cases these methods replace the need for animals, in other cases the non-animal methods complement and reduce the need for subsequent animal studies.

The University of Nottingham has close links with FRAME (Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments). The FRAME Alternatives Laboratory,  based at the University of Nottingham, allows scientists to develop alternative methods using human tissue.

However, despite significant advances in technology there is still a need for research involving animals to take place. The research undertaken at the University of Nottingham includes the study of diseases and biological processes. Such studies require the use of animals that have the same complex biological systems as humans which cannot be replicated using current technology.

 
How are the animals housed?
The University of Nottingham ensures that all animals are kept in the best possible environment to ensure their health and wellbeing.  They are typically housed in cages or pens filled with bedding and nesting materials and additional play items to prevent boredom. The cages are cleaned and changed frequently to maintain a healthy living environment for the animals. Animals are usually housed in groups to allow for normal social interaction and are handled frequently by staff. This ensures they are used to people, making it easier for staff to check they are in good health.
 
How many animals are used in procedures by the University of Nottingham each year?
Number of Animals Used in Procedures at the University of Nottingham
 Species2014  201520162017201820192020
 Mouse 17550 15631 13275 12825 13374 14185 12557
 Rat 5265 9359 7310 6082 4281 5047 3401
 Guinea Pig 40 59 75 89 140 14 21
 Syrian Hamster 0 32  16 0 41 149 32
 Other Rodent 40 106  148 206 10 0 0
 Rabbit 88 19  124 36 40 30 36
 Ferret 11 4 0 13 0 0
 Pig 78 54  44 36 40 13 6
 Sheep 592 388  456 319 9 54 158
 Cattle 379 80 20 68 69 109 11
 Domestic Fowl 141 851  387 410 454 150 0
 Zebra Fish 2691 4863  3509 5142 4437 4799 2849
 Other Fish 536 84  80 35 187 4312 43
Xenopus 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
 
How many animals were used for a scientific or educational purpose that were below the 'lower threshold' as defined in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (1986)
Number of animals used for a scientific or educational purpose below the 'lower threshold' at the University of Nottingham
 Species201620172018201920202021
 Mouse 265 254 358 329 685 379
 Rat 202 250 357 300 127 127
 Guinea Pig 4 3 1 1 0 0
 Rabbit 7 4 41 0 2 0
 Pig 64 84 30 28 18 12
 Sheep 8 4 12 0 0 0
 Cattle 4 0 0 0 0 0
 Domestic Fowl 574 227 417 200 203 10
Xenopus 12 12 12 10 2 0
 
What were the reported severity limits (by species) of the procedures carried out by the University of Nottingham in 2017?
Severity of procedures by Species in 2017 for the University of Nottingham
 SpeciesSub-ThresholdNon-Recovery  Mild  Moderate  Severe
 Mouse 2909 48 6218 3637 53
 Rat 0 168 4163 1985 14
 Guinea Pig 0 53 15 21 0
 Other Rodent 0 18 64 124 0
 Rabbit 0 0 36 0 0
 Pig 0 0 36 0 0
 Sheep 0 0 300 19 0
 Cattle 0 0 95 0 0
 Domestic Fowl 0 0 410 0 0
 Zebra Fish 4744 0 398 0 0
 Other Fish 0 0 35 0 0
 
What were the reported severity limits (by species) of the procedures carried out by the University of Nottingham in 2018?
Severity of Procedures by Species in 2018 for the University of Nottingham
 Species Sub-Threshold Non-RecoveryMild  Moderate Severe
 Mouse 3811 77 4891 4543 52
 Rat 0 217 1943 2473 2
 Guinea Pig 0 95 20 25 0
 Hamster - Syrian 0 0 4 37 0
 Other Rodent 0 10 0 0 0
 Rabbit 0 0 0 40 0
 Ferret 0 13 0 0 0
 Pig 0 0 36 4 0
 Sheep 0 0 4 5 0
 Cattle 0 0 74 0 0
 Domestic Fowl 0 0 454 0 0
 Zebra Fish 3923 0 514 0 0
 Other Fish 0 0 0 187 0
       
 
What were the reported severity limits (by species) of the procedures carried out by the University of Nottingham in 2019?
Severity of Procedures by Species in 2019 for the University of Nottingham
 Species Sub-Threshold Non-RecoveryMild  Moderate Severe
 Mouse 2866 27 6447 4800 45
 Rat 0 233 1031 3846 5
 Guinea Pig 0 14 0 0 0
 Hamster - Syrian 0 0 95 52 2
 Rabbit 0 2 0 28 0
 Pig 0 0 3 10 0
 Sheep 0 0 54 0 0
 Cattle 0 0 118 20 0
 Domestic Fowl 0 0 150 0 0
 Zebra Fish 4048 0 751 0 0
 Other Fish 0 0 4304 0 0
 
What were the reported severity limits (by species) of the procedures carried out by the University of Nottingham in 2020?
Severity of Procedures by Species in 2020 for the University of Nottingham
 Species Sub-Threshold Non-RecoveryMild  Moderate Severe
 Mouse 3413 80 4839 4106 119
 Rat  0 246 1003 2242 4
 Guinea Pig 0 21 0 0 0
Hamster - Syrian 0 0 16 15 1
 Rabbit 0 0 0 36 0
 Pig 0 0 4 2 0
 Sheep 0 0 106 52 0
 Cattle  0 0 1 10 0
 Zebra Fish 2573 0 276 0 0
 Other Fish  0 0 43 0 0
 
What were the reported severity limits (by species) of the procedures carried out by the University of Nottingham in 2021?

Severity of Procedures by Species in 2021 for the University of Nottingham
 Species Sub-Threshold Non-RecoveryMild  Moderate Severe
 Mouse 2481 28 5450 5064 21
 Rat  0 234 2221 2359 10
 Guinea Pig  25 0 0 0 0
 Hamster  0 0 52 0  0
 Rabbit  0 0 0 0 0
 Pig  0 0  0 0 0
 Sheep  0 0  93  18 0
 Cattle  0

0

124  27 0
 Zebra Fish 1669 0 365 0 0
 Other Fish  0 0 8  0 0
 
What were the reported severity limits (by species) of the procedures carried out by the University of Nottingham in 2022?

Severity of Procedures by Species in 2022 for the University of Nottingham
 Species Sub-Threshold Non-RecoveryMild  Moderate Severe
 Mouse 3005 21 4378 6961 66
 Rat  0 32 1652 2658 5
 Guinea Pig  0 49 12 8 0
 Hamster  0 0 24 17  7
 Rabbit  0 0 0 0 0
 Pig  0 3  0 5 0
 Sheep  0 0 100  26 0
 Cattle  0

0

50  24 0
 Zebra Fish 3274 0 719 0 0
 Other Fish  0 0 32  0 0

 

 
What were the reported severity limits (by species) of the procedures carried out by the University of Nottingham in 2023?

Severity of Procedures by Species in 2023 for the University of Nottingham
 Species Sub-Threshold Non-RecoveryMild  Moderate Severe
 Mouse 3994 31 3161 4027 7
 Rat  0 26 2500 1846 31
 Guinea Pig  0 0 0 0 0
 Hamster  0 0 127 17  0
 Rabbit  0 0 0 0 0
 Pig  0 0  0 0 0
 Sheep  7 0 83  19 0
 Cattle  0

0

138  0 0
 Zebra Fish 5373 0 778 0 0
 Other Fish  0 0 0  343 0

 

 

BSU

University Park
bsu@nottingham.ac.uk