The 3Rs – Reduction

Reduction means using as few animals as possible in scientific research while still making sure the results are valid, of high scientific quality, and are reproducible. This involves planning carefully and using good scientific practices to ensure only the necessary number of animals are used.  

At the University of Dundee, we focus on reduction in the following ways: 

Training in experimental design 

By law, researchers must use animals responsibly and only when necessary. At the University, the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) requires all researchers who lead animal studies to complete training in experimental design. 

This training helps researchers plan their studies before any animals are bred, so only as many animals as are needed are produced. By learning how to design studies that are scientifically sound and ethically appropriate, researchers can avoid unnecessary repetition, poor‑quality experiments, and surplus animal production, which helps reduce the overall number of animals used. 

Centralised management of genetically altered (GA) mouse colonies 

Trained animal facility colony managers construct breeding strategies to avoid producing more mice than are required for planned experiments. This helps match the production of GA mice to research demand, while maintaining health and genetic integrity, improving breeding success, and reducing the number of animals lost due to illness or harmful effects caused by unwanted genetic changes. This central colony management process also makes it easier for researchers to share resources and collaborate. 

Centralised coordination of GA mouse colony genotyping  

Facility staff coordinate and report genotyping results quickly to support efficient GA mouse colony management. Genotyping is the process used to check whether a GA mouse carries the required genetic alteration. Small tissue samples are analysed by an external automated genotyping service provider, and the results are shared promptly so future breeding and animal use can be accurately planned.

Rat colony management and rehoming  

Rat breeding colonies in Dundee are managed centrally by animal facility staff to ensure that the number of rats produced through the breeding programme matches the needs of our research groups, while keeping the number of surplus rats produced to an absolute minimum. On the rare occasion when surplus rats are produced, or when breeders have been retired, we offer rats for rehoming through an established network of rat carers. We report on the number of rats rehomed in recent years.