Population dynamics of laboratory animals in veterinary research institute (vri) from year 2005 to 2010

This paper reports on the laboratory animal population in the Laboratory Animal Unit, Veterinary Research Institute (VRI), Ipoh from 2005 to 2010. Laboratory Animal Unit is a complementary unit which serves to supply laboratory animals to all diagnostic and research units in VRI. The objective of this unit is to breed and produce laboratory animals such as rabbits, mice, rats, guinea pigs and hamsters for research projects as well as diagnostic and biological activities. The unit also supplies laboratory animals to private agencies, universities and schools. There are 6 species of laboratory animals in VRI namely rabbit (New Zealand Breed), guinea pig (Hartlay Strain), hamster (Golden Syrian), white mice (Swiss Albino), BALB/c mice and Sprague Dawley Rat. Management of the animals includes breeding, fertility, production and disease monitoring. Generally, white mice bred well and had a high population from 2005 to 2010 compared to the other laboratory animals due to their short gestation period and large litter size. With the higher current demand for laboratory animals, the production of the unit is expected to increase