Vivodjurstudier

Vivodjurstudier is a term used in Swedish-language scientific discourse to denote studies conducted in living animals to observe physiological, pathological, or pharmacological processes in a whole-organism context. The term is typically applied to research that investigates how diseases develop, how the body responds to potential therapies, or how substances are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in vivo. It contrasts with in vitro studies, which are performed on cells, tissues, or biomolecules outside their normal living environment.

Scope and applications include pharmacology, toxicology, oncology, neuroscience, and physiology. Common models involve rodents, but larger mammals and other species are used depending on the scientific question, regulatory requirements, and ethical considerations. Experimental design emphasizes appropriate controls, randomization, housing and welfare standards, and clearly defined endpoints. Reporting often follows guidelines for transparency and reproducibility, including pre-registration and the use of standardized outcome measures.

Ethical and regulatory context: in vivo animal studies are governed by national and international frameworks that emphasize animal welfare, the 3Rs principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), and institutional oversight. Approvals from ethics committees or animal care and use committees are typically required before research begins.

In modern science, vivodjurstudier are increasingly complemented by alternative methods such as in vitro systems, organ-on-a-chip models, and computational simulations to reduce animal use while preserving scientific validity.