Lab Anim Res.  2018 Mar;34(1):11-19. 10.5625/lar.2018.34.1.11.

Ensuring reproducibility and ethics in animal experiments reporting in Korea using the ARRIVE guideline

• Nam MH
• Chun MS
• Seong JK
• Kim HG

• KMID: 2430881
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5625/lar.2018.34.1.11

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the reporting quality of animal experiments in Korea using the Animals in Research: Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) guideline developed in 2010 to overcome the reproducibility problem and to encourage compliance with replacement, refinement and reduction of animals in research (3R's principle). We reviewed 50 papers published by a Korean research group from 2013 to 2016 and scored the conformity with the 20-items ARRIVE guideline. The median conformity score was 39.50%. For more precise evaluation, the 20 items were subdivided into 57 sub-items. Among the sub-items, status of experimental animals, housing and husbandry were described under the average level. Microenvironment sub-items, such as enrichment, bedding material, cage type, number of companions, scored under 10%. Although statistical methods used for the studies were given in most publications (84%), sample size calculation and statistical assumption were rarely described. Most publications mentioned the IACUC approval, but only 8% mentioned welfare-related assessments and interventions, and only 4% mentioned any implications of experimental methods or findings for 3R. We may recommend the revision of the present IACUC proposal to collect more detailed information and improving educational program for animal researchers according to the ARRIVE guideline.

Keyword

Animal experiments; ARRIVE guideline; reproducibility crisis; 3R's principle

MeSH Terms

Animal Care Committees
Animal Experimentation*
Animals*
Compliance
Ethics*
Friends
Housing
Humans
Korea*
Sample Size

Figure

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  Figure 1 Scores (%) of the 20 items of the ARRIVE guideline. Items of title, abstract, objectives, outcomes and estimation, and funding were the most frequently reported (over 80%). The items of experimental procedure, housing and husbandry, and baseline data were the least frequently reported (under 30%). Allocating animals and adverse events were items reported under 5%.

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  Figure 2 Scores (%) of the sub-items on experimental animals. Basic information on experimental animals (age, sex, strain, and species) was reported in over 60% of the reviewed publications. Although the additional information on the animals, such as the source of animals and genetic status, were mentioned in over 80% of the publications, information on microbiological status and drug test were rarely stated.

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  Figure 3 Scores (%) of sub-items on housing and husbandry. Macroenvironment (humidity, temperature, light/dark cycle and type of facility) were described in less than 30% of the reviewed publications. Little information on microenvironment (type of cage, bedding material, numbers of cage companion, type of food and access to food/water) was reported. No publication reported environmental enrichment.

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  Figure 4 Scores (%) of sub-items on experimental design and statistical analysis. Except statistical methods used for analysis, the sub-items on experimental design and statistical analysis were rarely found in the reviewed publications.

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  Figure 5 Scores (%) of sub-items on ethical statement and 3R's principle. Because the IACUC permission is legal prerequisite for animal experiment 80% of the reviewed publications have ethical statement about protocol review and the IACUC approval.

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