In preclinical research, small animal surgery is a cornerstone of disease modeling, drug testing, and biomedical discovery. Whether you’re performing a transverse aortic constriction (TAC), implanting a telemetry device, or isolating organs, one principle stands above all: aseptic technique.

Proper aseptic technique is not optional—it’s essential. It protects animals, ensures scientific validity, and keeps researchers in compliance with ethical and regulatory standards.

In this blog, we’ll walk through:

  • What aseptic technique means in the lab

  • Key components of proper asepsis

  • Why it matters for data quality and animal welfare

  • What regulatory bodies and best practices require

What Is Aseptic Technique in Animal Research?

Aseptic technique refers to the set of procedures used to prevent microbial contamination during surgery. In research involving rodents, it applies to both survival and non-survival surgeries where infection could compromise animal health or study outcomes.

While rodents may not have the same sterility requirements as humans in the OR, aseptic technique in animal labs must still meet veterinary surgical standards.

Core Elements of Aseptic Technique

Here are the foundational steps every research lab should follow during small animal surgery:

1. Preparation of the Surgical Area

  • Disinfect the surgical space with 70% ethanol or other approved disinfectants

  • Use a dedicated, uncluttered surface for sterile procedures

2. Sterilization of Instruments

  • Autoclave instruments before use

  • Use sterile instrument packs for each animal or re-sterilize between animals

  • Avoid soaking in ethanol as a primary sterilization method

3. Surgeon Preparation

  • Wear sterile gloves, mask, and lab coat or gown

  • Wash hands thoroughly before gloving

  • Avoid touching non-sterile surfaces once gloved

4. Animal Preparation

  • Clip fur and scrub the surgical site with alternating chlorhexidine and 70% alcohol

  • Apply sterile drapes to isolate the site

  • Ensure proper anesthesia and analgesia are administered pre- and post-operatively

5. Sterile Technique During Surgery

  • Only use sterile instruments within the sterile field

  • If sterility is compromised, change gloves or instruments immediately

  • Limit traffic and conversation in the surgery room

Why Aseptic Technique Is Essential in Research

1. Scientific Integrity

Contamination and infection alter physiological responses—including immune activation, healing, and drug metabolism. This creates variability that can:

  • Compromise data quality

  • Increase experimental noise

  • Lead to false conclusions

Inconsistent aseptic technique can also cause batch effects that skew results between animal cohorts.

2. Animal Welfare

Rodents with post-op infections experience:

  • Increased pain and distress

  • Delayed recovery

  • Greater likelihood of unplanned euthanasia

This not only raises ethical concerns, but also contradicts 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).

3. Regulatory Compliance

Organizations like:

  • IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)

  • OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare)

  • AAALAC (Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care)

…all require evidence of aseptic technique in approved animal protocols. Non-compliance can halt studies, jeopardize funding, and damage institutional reputation.

Aseptic Technique Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Even in fast-paced labs, cutting corners on aseptic practices creates risk—for animals, science, and your team. That’s why leading research institutions and CROs (like PRA) invest in:

  • Staff training and re-certification

  • SOP development and audits

  • Visual checklists and pre-surgical briefings

  • Dedicated clean spaces for rodent surgery

Final Thoughts

Aseptic technique isn’t just a box to check—it’s a standard of excellence in research. It reflects a lab’s commitment to:

  • Quality science

  • Ethical responsibility

  • Reproducibility

Every researcher, surgeon, technician, and PI has a role in maintaining this standard.

Because when we protect our animal models, we protect our data, our integrity, and ultimately, the patients who may benefit from the discoveries we’re working toward.

📩 Contact us today to learn more about how PRA can support your surgical training and on-site study needs.

www.prasurgical.com

info@prasurgical.com