If your protocol involves procedures at Pain Categories D and E, you must conduct a literature search in a minimum of two databases which demonstrates:

1. the work is not unnecessarily duplicative of previously documented work
2. the fewest number of the lowest order of animals will be used to obtain valid results
3. alternatives to EACH potentially painful/distressful procedure proposed have been sought.

Key databases for searching for animal alternatives.

The CSU Libraries provide access to many databases that can help fulfill the search requirement for animal alternatives.  To help you get started, here is a list of the most relevant library databases for some important categories of animal research.

Please Note: PubMed is a free version of Medline.  You may use either Medline or PubMed for your search, not both.  Accessing PubMed from the links below will activate the FindIt@CSU button and provide you with complete access to the CSU Libraries' online journals and ILL services.

Primary: CAB Abstracts, Agricola, Web of Science
Secondary: Biological Sciences, Biological Abstracts (1969-2009 not updated)

Animal Science Research: Includes Feed Trials, Production Efficiency, Herd Health, Metabolism

Primary: CAB Abstracts, Agricola, Web of Science
Secondary: Biological Sciences, Biological Abstracts (1969-2009 not updated) 

Basic Biology

Primary: CAB Abstracts, Web of Science, Medline via PubMed or Medline (OVID), Biological Sciences
Secondary: Biological Sciences, Biological Abstracts (1969-2009 not updated)

Biomedical Sciences Basic & Applied Research for Human & Animal Health: Includes Oncology, Infectious Disease, Reproduction, Physiology, Neurology,  Orthopedics, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Opthalmology

Primary: Medline via PubMed or Medline (OVID), Web of Science, CAB Abstracts,
ALTBIB (Resources on Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research & Testing)
Secondary: Biological Sciences, Biological Abstracts (1969-2009 not updated)

Clinical Trials—veterinary and human

 Primary: Medline via PubMed or Medline (OVID), Web of Science, CAB Abstracts
Secondary: Biological Sciences, Biological Abstracts (1969-2009 not updated)

Primary: Medline via PubMed or Medline (OVID), Web of Science, 
ALTBIB (Resources on Alternatives to the Use of Live Vertebrates in Biomedical Research & Testing)
SciFinder (SciFinder offers searching of Chemical Abstracts by chemical, structure, reaction - includes Medline records) 

Primary: Medline via PubMed or Medline (OVID), Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, NORINA (Norwegian Inventory of Alternatives), ERIC (education database)
Secondary: Biological Sciences, Biological Abstracts (1969-2009 not updated) 

Primary: Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, Aquatic Sciences & Fisheries Abstracts All Sections (ASFA), Wildlife & Ecology Studies Worldwide
 Secondary: Biological Sciences, Biological Abstracts (1969-2009 not updated)

Wildlife Management – birds and mammals

Primary: Web of Science, CAB Abstracts, Wildlife & Ecology Studies Worldwide
 Secondary: Biological Sciences,Medline via PubMed or Medline (OVID), Biological Abstracts (1969-2009 not updated)

  A complete list of library databases by subject can be found on the Find Electronic Resources & Databases page.

April 18 & 21, 2011 Animal Alternatives Training by Kristina Adams, USDA, NAL, Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC)

For help constructing a research strategy, contact:

Michelle Wilde
Librarian, Veterinary Medicine, Biomedical & Physical Sciences
(970) 491-1860
Michelle.Wilde@colostate.edu

Dennis Sylvain
Veterinary Medical Center Library Manager
(970) 297-1213
dennis.sylvain@colostate.edu

For help navigating eProtocol or questions regarding the alternatives search requirements and the IACUC protocol review process, please feel free to contact:

Bill Moseley, MA, CPIA
Senior IACUC Coordinator
(970) 491-8060

Elaine Kim
IACUC Coordinator
(970) 491-0236