VIVARIUM

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The Vivarium of the Veterinary Academy of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences was built in 1936 and has a total area of 470 square metres. In 2007, the premises were upgraded and expanded to ensure the quality of research work (environmentally friendly rabbit, guinea pig, rat and mouse cage systems and metabolic chambers). In 2015, the vivarium premises were renovated in full compliance with the general and special requirements for the breeding, supply and use of experimental animals approved by the State Food and Veterinary Service, Order No. B1-866 of 31 October 2012, as well as with the EU regulations.

The facilities include a classroom and a laboratory, where animals are transported in transport cages by elevators for the students to perform their activities. This improvement reduces stress for the animals and enables the students to listen to lectures in comfort.

The main directions of the Vivarium activities are the development of educational and research infrastructure, biomedical research using laboratory animals, and animal health and welfare research. Experimental research with laboratory animals is carried out in the areas of microbiology, pharmacology, toxicology, physiology, pathological anatomy, as well as in the study of food and feed raw materials, animal products, the most dangerous mycotoxins, new drug testing, etc.

Besides the research-supporting function, the Vivarium also pursues an educational mission. It introduces young nature enthusiasts who are pupils at mainstream schools of secondary education to diverse challenges related to “animal rights” and the benefits of experimental animals for science and society.

Breeding and use of experimental animals
Breeding and use of experimental animals
Prices of laboratory animals bred at the Vivarium

The Vivarium breeds inbred BALB/c mice, WISTAR rats, guinea pigs, and New Zealand (white) rabbits. Breeding rules are strictly enforced to ensure the genetic purity of the lines.

Laboratory animals shall be kept and bred in accordance with the provisions of the Order of the Director of the State Veterinary and Food Service of 31 October 2012, No. B1-866 “On the approval of the requirements for the keeping, care and use of animals used for scientific and educational purposes”.

The White New Zealand White Rabbit – a breed of meat rabbit.

The rabbit is an animal of the hare family (Latin: Leporidae).

Sexual maturity takes 4 to 5.5 months. Mating occurs at older ages: males at 8 months, females at 7 months. Breeding is appropriate up to 3 years of age; life span 10–15 years. The time from fertilisation to parturition is on average 30 days. Litter size from 1 to 8 offspring. The offspring are weaned at 5 to 8 weeks of age.

Short-haired guinea pig – a representative of the guinea pig family (Latin: Caviidae).

Females reach sexual maturity in 8 weeks and males in 12 weeks. Mating occurs between 6 and 7 months. Breedable up to 20 months of age; lives 6–8 years. The time from fertilisation to parturition is 63 to 72 days. Litter size: 2 to 4 offspring. The offspring are weaned at 3 to 4 weeks of age.

WISTAR – a breed of albino rat.

Rats are a genus of rodents in the family Muridae.

Females reach sexual maturity in 8 weeks and males in 10 weeks. Mating from 3 months. Breedable up to 1 year of age; lives 1,5 to 3 years. The time from fertilisation to parturition is 21 to 23 days. Litter size: 8 to 18 offspring. The offspring are weaned at 3 weeks of age.

BALB/c – a breed of albino mice.

Mice are a genus of rodents in the family Muridae.

Females reach sexual maturity at 6 weeks and males at 8 weeks. Mating occurs from 3 months. Breedable up to 9 months of age; lives 1.5–2 years. The time from fertilisation to parturition is 20 to 21 days. Litter size: 5 to 12 offspring. The offspring are weaned at 3 weeks of age.

Mice Balb/c line (1-2 months old): 7.26 EUR/pc (VAT incl.), 6.00 EUR/pc (VAT excl.)

Mice Balb/c line (2-3 months old): 8.47 EUR/pc (VAT incl.), 7.00 EUR/pc (VAT excl.)

Rats WISTAR line (up to 1 month of age): 6.05 EUR/pc (VAT incl.), 5.00 EUR/pc (VAT excl.)

Rats WISTAR line (1-2 months old): 8.47 EUR/pc (VAT incl.), 7.00 EUR/pc (VAT excl.)

Rats WISTAR line (2-5 months old): 9.68 EUR/pc (VAT incl.), 8.00 EUR/pc (VAT excl.)

Guinea pigs (1-4 months old): 6.05 EUR/pc (VAT incl.), 5.00 (VAT excl.)

Guinea pigs (4-12 months old): 9.68 EUR/pc (VAT incl.), 8.00 (VAT excl.)

New Zealand rabbits (5-12 months old): 35.09 EUR/pc (VAT incl.), 29.00 (VAT excl.)

To place an order, please fill in the application form for the need for experimental laboratory animals to the Vivarium of the Veterinary Academy. You may find the application form here.

Veterinary approval numbers granted to the Vivarium of the Veterinary Academy of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences by Head of the State Food and Veterinary Service, Kaunas County, order of 6 June 2005 No. B-76 “On veterinary approval” and its amendment No. B-99 of 23 December 2011:

Experimental Animal Breeding Enterprise LT-59-101
Experimental Animal Using Enterprise EN-61-102

Vivarium

Tilžės g. 18, Kaunas, Lietuva

Ieva Matusevičienė

Head of Vivarium

+370 608 10795 ieva.matuseviciene@lsmu.lt