Animal Housing and Experimental Operating Theaters Unit

Introduction

The Animal Housing and Experimental Surgery Unit is dedicated to the maintenance, breeding, and control of laboratory animals used for research and teaching activities carried out at this University, as well as at other research centers requesting its services.

The facilities are registered as a user center for laboratory animals in the Registry of User Centers of the Servei de Producció i Sanitat Animal of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Generalitat Valenciana.

Services

The unit provides specialized facilities for the breeding, maintenance, and use of laboratory animals, offering centralized infrastructure and instrumentation for the development of biomedical and translational research.

The services offered include:

Housing and maintenance of different animal species (mouse, rat, rabbit, pig).
Breeding and maintenance of animal lines.
Management and maintenance of genetically modified animals.
Development and technical support for experimental models in various biomedical areas, including cardiovascular, oncological, metabolic, osteoarticular, and gynecological models.
Technical support for surgical procedures and experimental techniques.
Technical advice and supervision on animal welfare and regulatory compliance.

Equipment

Housing Areas

Open cage racks.
Ventilated racks and filter cages.
Isolator cabinets.
Laminar flow cabinets.

Washing and Sterilization Area

High-capacity cage washer with cleaning and disinfection systems.
Bottle washing machine.
Sterilization autoclave.
UV light pass-through (SAS window).
Hydrogen peroxide decontamination pass-through (SAS).

Experimental Operating Rooms

The unit has operating rooms for small mammals (rodents, lagomorphs, etc.) and large mammals (pig), equipped for advanced surgical procedures and experimental techniques.

Equipment includes:

Inhalation anesthesia systems.
Mechanical ventilation for general anesthesia procedures.
Physiological monitoring systems.
Imaging diagnostic equipment (ultrasound and fluoroscopy).
Endoscopy and laparoscopy towers.

Analytical and Imaging Equipment

Hematology, biochemistry, blood gases, electrolytes, and clinical chemistry analyzers.
Non-invasive multimodal preclinical imaging system (IVIS).
DEXA system for body composition and bone density analysis.

Behavioral and Functional Assessment Platforms