Effect of Analgesics on Monoclonal Antibody Ascites Production in Mice Administered Upon Recognition of Pain

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) ascites fluid production in mice is a well described method of antibody production, although ethical questions regarding the pain and distress of the animals utilized in this process have been raised. In this study, mice were injected with pristane to initiate granuloma formation, followed by an injection of murine hybridoma PA 2II 2F9-1-1 (2F9) to produce IgG1 subclass mAb directed against protective antigen (PA) protein of Bacillus anthracis. Upon the recognition of pain or distress, characterized by well accepted clinical signs, analgesics were administered by treatment group. The control group (A) received saline, group (B) received meloxicam, group (C) received buprenorphine, and group (D) received both meloxicam and buprenorphine. Analgesics were administered by group for a total of 36–48 hours prior to the second ascites fluid collection. There was no statistical difference in the antibody titer or functionality (P>0.05) between treatment groups at the first or the second collection time points. As reported here, analgesics may be administered upon recognition of pain in mice used for mAb ascites fluid production without affecting antibody concentration or quality and may warrant further evaluation as a refinement in other hybridoma cell lines.