The University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Department of Comparative Medicine

Freunds Adjuvant

IMMUNIZATION OF RESEARCH ANIMALS AND INJECTION OF COMPLETE FREUND'S ADJUVANT

In order to reduce the number of animals subjected to adverse immunologic reactions, the following guidelines have been adopted by the IACUC. The IACUC is aware of the diverse opinions and techniques associated with animal immunization. Protocols which propose to use alternate procedures contrary to these policies will be considered upon receipt of written justification and documentation. If appropriate documentation is lacking, it may be necessary to conduct a study designed to provide appropriate documentation.

A. Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA)

1. CFA should not be given by intradermal injections. This often causes formation of draining skin granulomas which can become infected and may be painful. In addition, it is counter-productive when the antigen-adjuvant emulsion is lost because of drainage and sloughing of the injection site. (Laboratory personnel using CFA should be cautioned about inadvertent self-injection of CFA on needle tips. This has resulted in painful and long lasting inflammation in humans.)
   
2. Reinjection of CFA into a sensitized animal causes more severe hypersensitivity reactions. Therefore, protocols using more than one injection of CFA should discuss the basis for this procedure. Booster doses in incomplete Freund's adjuvant should be considered.
   

B. The number of injection sites should be the minimum necessary to accommodate the volume being injected.

C. Injection of immunogens into foot pads in any vehicle is generally not acceptable.

D. Animals given aqueous solutions of antigens after sensitization should be observed for signs of anaphylactic shock and administered appropriate treatment should an acute reaction occur.

E. Severe inflammatory reactions at injection should be reported to a DCM veterinarian to be examined and treated.