IVC FOR RODENTS

IVC systems (Individually Ventilated Caging) are designed to maintain animals in sterile isolation conditions, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination between cages and the animals inside. In an IVC system, each cage has an air filtration system that removes particles, odors and microorganisms coming in from the surrounding environment. This allows for a controlled and sterile environment for each animal, minimizing the risk of disease and infection.

IVC systems are also designed to reduce animal stress levels by providing a more comfortable and welfare-friendly environment. These systems provide more space than traditional cages, allowing animals to move and interact with their environment.

IVC systems are an advanced technology for rodent management, allowing for individual animal management, monitoring of physiological, nutritional and behavioral parameters. This allows for more precise and reliable studies without the concern of interference or contamination between different animals.

AQUATIC SYSTEMS FOR FISH

The stand-alone Active Blue systems are semi-closed recirculating systems, consisting of a technical tank connected to a shelf that houses a series of rearing tanks. They are capable of maintaining constant micro-environmental conditions for rearing ZebraFish (Danio rerio) and other small teleost fish, via an adequate filtration and disinfection system.

After the water has been filtered and disinfected, it is sent to the shelf via a PVC distribution ring and then distributed to each tank via a dedicated tap. Waste material produced inside each tank (feces and unconsumed feed) is suctioned together with the water through the action of a siphon installed in the technical compartment at the rear  of the tank.

All the effluent water from the tanks is sent to the technical tank by gravity, using dedicated channels.

Inside the technical tank, water is mechanically filtered through a self-cleaning drum filter and biologically filtered through a floating-bed biological filter. Temperature, pH, and conductivity are constantly monitored by dedicated reading probes: whenever these parameters fall below a set point, they are automatically corrected by turning on a heater (temperature) or by dosing buffer solutions (pH and conductivity) via dosing pumps. Before the filtered water is returned to the tanks, it is further disinfected with light from a UV lamp.

A certain volume of the system water (as standard, 10% daily, but changeable via touch screen) is automatically divided and discharged from the system at hourly intervals via a solenoid valve. The amount of discharged water is immediately replenished with reverse-osmosis water.

CHICK HOUSING

The stainless steel, sandblasted, anti-reflective chick housing units were custom-designed according to indications dictated by Legislative Decree 26/2014. The cages feature feeders, grids and a removable collection tray for deep cleaning. They can hold chicks up to 300 grams.

 

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