This checklist for animal experimentation provides guidance for transparent reporting and scientific rigour of preclinical research as set out in the http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/policy/concordat-openness-animal-research/, the http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/media/announcements/150415/, the https://www.nih.gov/research-training/rigor-reproducibility/principles-guidelines-reporting-preclinical-research on reporting preclinical research, the https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/arrive-guidelines (https://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0976-500X.72351) and the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (https://www.nc3rs.org.uk/), the UK government funded organisation set up to promote the principles of the 3Rs. This checklist is intended as a guide for submission to the British Journal of Pharmacology.
| Criteria | Number | Issue | Where to place information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justification for validity of animal species or model selection | 1 | A scientific justification for the animal species and model selected for study is provided. | Methods |
| Ethical review | 2 | Details of the ethical review permissions, and national or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals that cover the research are indicated. | Methods |
| Animal demographics | 3 | The source, species, strain, sex, range of age and weight of animals and any additional data that are relevant to the study are provided. | Methods |
| Housing and husbandry | 4 | Details are provided of: housing (type of facility e.g., specific pathogen free [SPF]; type of cage or housing; bedding material; number of cage companions; tank shape and material etc., for fish). | Methods |
| Experimental procedures | 5 | Details are provided of anaesthesia and analgesia, surgical procedures, how the animal was killed and, if there is recovery following surgery, the methods of asepsis, and post‐operative care. | Methods |
| Animal welfare | 6 | Welfare‐related assessments, measurements and interventions (e.g., humane end points) that were carried out prior to, during, or after the experiment are included. | Methods |
| Interpretation | 7 | A statement is made if the study has any implications for replacement, refinement or reduction (the 3Rs). | Discussion |
| Translation implications | 8 | A statement is made concerning the possible clinical relevance of the study. | Discussion |