How do researchers ensure the most humane approach is taken when working with neonatal mice? In this episode, Dr. Ning-Kit (Kit) Tang, clinical veterinarian at the University of California, San Francisco, shares insights from her JAALAS paper, Hypothermia as a Sole Euthanasia Method for Neonatal Mice. Her paper explores whether prolonged cold exposure can serve as a humane and effective euthanasia technique for neonatal mice. Kit reflects on her path from UC Davis student to newly board-certified laboratory veterinarian, and shares how curiosity and compassion sparked her investigation into this sensitive topic. She walks listeners through her pilot study design, findings on age-dependent responses to hypothermia, and the importance of balancing animal welfare with operator well-being. Kit also discusses how expanding humane euthanasia options can help reduce compassion fatigue and improve training across research programs. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation bridging science, ethics, and care in laboratory animal medicine.   Key Points From This Episode: Welcoming today's guest, Dr. Ning-Kit (Kit) Tang. How her early work in mouse biology sparked her passion for lab animal medicine. What inspired her paper on Hypothermia as a Sole Euthanasia Method for Neonatal Mice. How mentorship and teamwork helped shape her residency research project. The welfare challenges surrounding euthanasia methods for neonatal mice. Her study's hypothesis: Can hypothermia be a sole euthanasia method? Pilot study findings comparing freezer, fridge, and ice-water exposure on two age groups. Reflections on compassion fatigue and operator well-being in euthanasia practices. Study limitations and opportunities for future research, including stress response observation. Final advice: provide multiple humane options and empower staff to choose.   Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Ning-Kit Tang on LinkedIn 'Hypothermia as a Sole Euthanasia Method for Neonatal Mice' American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) AALAS Learning Library Email AALAS Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)The LASt Word: An AALAS Podcast

Ver todos los episodios