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Use of Laboratory Animals in 2021

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) fulfils a legal obligation to request data from the competent authorities of the federal states of Germany on the use of laboratory animals in facilities located in the respective states. These data are summarised by the BfR and submitted to the European Commission. In comparison with previous years, these figures have again declined in 2021.

Alongside figures about the use of animals in experiments, annual data on the numbers of animals killed for scientific use of their organs and tissue are also collected in Germany. Data on the numbers of animals killed for other reasons are now also surveyed, with figures first available for the reporting year 2021. These two sets of figures are submitted to the European Commission every five years. The next such submission will be made in 2023 for the 2022 reporting year.

Total number of animals used in 2021

In 2021, almost 1.86 million vertebrates and cephalopods were used in animal experiments in Germany, in accordance with section 7(2) of the German Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG). Compared with 2020 (just under 1.9 million animals), the numbers have decreased by around 2%. When reporting the animals used, a distinction is made between animals used for the first time and animals that are re-used (see table 1). First-time use means that the animals had not been used in an experimental project prior to this report. Re-use indicates that an animal had been previously used in an experimental project and was then used in another experimental project. In Table 21 of the detailed report, the numbers of first-time use and re-used animals are broken down by species.

In addition to the requirements of the EU Laboratory Animal Directive 2010/63/EU, data is also collected in Germany on animals that have been killed for scientific purposes (TierSchG section 4(3)) without prior interventions or treatments – such as when using organs or tissue from these animals for scientific purposes (see table 1). In comparison with 2020, this figure has risen by nearly 2%. A detailed list of the animals killed for scientific purposes by species can be found in table 47 of the report. The number of animals used in experiments and the number of animals killed for scientific purposes totals around 2.5 million usages of laboratory animals for the year 2021. This represents an overall decline of around 1.2% when compared with 2020.

Beginning in the 2021 reporting year, data is now also collected in Germany on the animals that are reared for animal experiments or for the use of their organs or tissue for scientific purposes, but which were subsequently killed without being used for such purposes (see table 1). These animals include the offspring of genetically modified lines, for example, where the animals do not exhibit the required genetic changes and could not then be used for any other scientific purpose. This category also includes laboratory animals killed for the purpose of monitoring the hygiene of breeding colonies, or animals that were used for other, non-scientific purposes. The category also includes animals that could not be used for other reasons – because the animals were too old, for example, or did not have the right sex as required for the specific experiment.

The collection of these data results from an amendment to the Laboratory Animal Reporting Ordinance, which entered into force in August 2021. As such, Germany now exceeds the requirements of the European Commission, which requires an EU-wide publication of all animals killed for scientific purposes and for other reasons only every five years. These data were last surveyed in 2017 and published by the European Commission in 2020 (EU report). The next publication of these figures is planned for 2023 and relates to the 2022 reporting year. With its decision to publish these figures on an annual basis, Germany seeks to ensure the greatest possible transparency in addressing the topic of animal experiments and is therefore assuming a leading role within the EU.

Table1: Total number of laboratory animals used in research, as well as animals killed for scientific purposes or for other reasons, during 2020 and 2021

¹⁾ Animal experiments pursuant to TierSchG section 7(2)
²⁾ Animals killed for the sole reason of using their organs or tissue for scientific purposes (pursuant to TierSchG section 4(3))
³⁾ Animals reared for scientific purposes and killed without being used for such purposes (pursuant to section 1(1), sent. 1, no. 1a of the German Laboratory Animal Reporting Ordinance (VersTierMeldV)). Figures for these animals were first collected as part of annual laboratory animal reporting in the 2021 reporting year.

Animal species used

Overall, the numbers for animals that were used in experiments in 2021 have decreased slightly compared with the previous year (figure 1 and table 2). Small changes were observed in the distribution of usages. About 80% of the laboratory animals used were rodents, mainly mice and rats. Mice make up about 72% and rats about 7% of the animals used. Accordingly, the proportion of mice used in 2021 increased by almost 2% year-on-year, while the proportion of rats remained the same. As in the previous year, fish (zebrafish and other fish species) are the second most frequently used laboratory animal species, at 12%. The proportion of rabbits (approx. 3%) decreased slightly compared to 2020. The percentage for birds (domestic chickens and other bird species) declined slightly, by around 1%. As in the previous year, there was a significant decrease in animal experiments involving monkeys and prosimians (see below for more precise figures). The proportion of other laboratory animals is around 4% and therefore also slightly lower than the previous year’s figure. The exact numbers of laboratory animals for other animal species, broken down according to first-use and re-use, can be found in table 21 of the detailed report.

An individual laboratory animal can be used multiple times (re-used) in several animal experiments. Accordingly, the number of animal experiments reported does not reflect the number of animals used. Particularly in the case of monkeys, simians, dogs and cats, fewer animals are used than animal experiments conducted. 

Figure 1: Numbers and proportions of animal species used in animal experiments in 2021 (pursuant to TierSchG section 7(2)). For a larger version of this image, please click here (1.5 MB).

Table 2: Numbers and proportions of animal species used in experiments pursuant to TierSchG section 7(2) in 2020 and 2021. 

 


Figure 2: Numbers and proportions of animals killed for scientific purposes in 2021 (pursuant to TierSchG section 4(3)). For a larger version of this image, please click here (1.5 MB).

Mice (83%) and rats (9%) account for the vast majority of animals killed for scientific purposes (see figure 2). The third and fourth places in this ranking are occupied by fish (around 5%) and birds (around 1%). Rabbits and other animal species together account for 2% of animals used. A detailed breakdown (by species) of animals killed pursuant to TierSchG section 4(3) can be found in table 47 of the report. 

Figure 3: Numbers and proportions of animals killed for other reasons in 2021 (pursuant to VersTierMeldV section 1(1), sent. 1, no. 1a). For a larger version of this image, please click here (1.5 MB).

Figure 3 presents the proportions of animal species for animals reared for scientific purposes and killed without being used for these purposes. Once again, mice make up the greatest pro-portion, at just under 86%. Fish form the second largest group, at nearly 13%, followed by rats at around 1%. Rabbits, birds and other animal species together account for less than 1%. A detailed breakdown (by species) of animals killed for other reasons can be found in table 48 in the report.

Use of monkeys and prosimians

In 2021, the number of monkeys and prosimians used in animal experiments decreased once again, following the sharp decline already observed in last year’s figures. In 2021, a total of 1,886 animal experiments with monkeys and prosimians were reported, and therefore 7.1% fewer than in 2020 (2,031 experiments). In monkeys and prosimians, the proportion of re-used animals is very high compared with other animal species (approx. 23% re-use compared with e.g. approx. 2–3% in mice and rats (see table 21 in the report)). At 1,452 animals, the number of first-use monkeys and prosimians recorded for 2021 is therefore significantly lower than the number of animal experiments reported (1,886). Great apes were last used for scientific purposes in Germany in 1991.

Use of dogs and cats

In the case of dogs and cats, whose uses included legally required experiments as well as use in applied research, figures for reported animal experiments had recently shown a sharp decline in 2020 (see laboratory animal figures for 2020). In 2021, the number of animal experiments recorded with dogs increased again by around 4% (2020: 2,560 experiments, 2021: 2,657 experiments). The number of animal experiments involving cats also increased significantly year-on-year (2020: 644 experiments, 2021: 862 experiments; increase of around 34%). However, this still represents a decline in numbers compared with 2019. Compared with the 2019 reporting year, the number of animal experiments with dogs fell by around 25% and by around 10% for cats. In dogs and cats, the proportion of re-used animals is also very high, at 48% (dogs) and 51% (cats) (see table 21 in the report). The number of first-use animals in 2021 amounted to 1,388 dogs and 419 cats, and was therefore significantly lower than the figure for reported animal experiments.

Use of fish (zebrafish and other fish species) 

In 2021, 226,094 fish were used in animal experiments pursuant to TierSchG section 7(2). The figure for these animals has therefore decreased slightly year-on-year (227,996 uses in 2020). 

Use of genetically modified animals

Compared with 2020, the absolute number of genetically modified laboratory animals increased again in 2021 (see table 3). Overall, 952,837 genetically modified animals were used in experiments – just under 40,000 more than in the previous year (913,712), although still fewer than in 2019. The proportion of genetically modified animals also rose year-on-year to 51.2% in 2021 (2020: 48.1%). Accordingly, the 2021 reporting year marks the first time that more genetically modified animals were used than non-genetically modified animals. Although the proportion of genetically modified animals both with and without a pathological phenotype rose year-on-year, the ratio of genetic modifications with and without the occurrence of a pathological phenotype remained virtually constant. Roughly one in five genetically modified animals exhibited characteristics detrimental to the animal’s well-being (see table 3). Mice (86%) and zebra fish (13%) account for almost all of this category (see table 20 in the report for a more detailed breakdown). 

Severity of the experiments

Most of the animal experiments conducted in 2021 were categorised as causing only mild pain, suffering, distress or harm (63.2% of experiments). This proportion has decreased by almost 4% compared with 2020. The proportion of animal experiments with moderate severity rose by around 2% to 26.1%, while the proportion of animal experiments resulting in a severe impact on the animals’ well-being was 4.3%, as in the previous year (figure 4). The proportion of animal experiments that were carried out entirely under general anaesthesia, from which the animals were not awakened (non-recovery), was 6.4% and therefore effectively constant year-on-year. Tables 22–34 of the report present detailed lists of severities by experimental purpose and species used.

Figure 4: Severity of the experiments carried out in 2021 pursuant to TierSchG section 7(2), presented by numbers of animals and proportions. For a larger version of this image, please click here (1.5 MB).The corresponding figures for 2020 can be viewed here. 

Scientific experimental purposes

Although many questions in science can now be answered by utilising cell cultures, organoids, organ-on-a-chip systems, computerised processes and other alternative methods, it may not yet be dispensed with the use of animals for scientific purposes – including their use in medical research. Thus, around 56% of animal experiments related to basic research. Compared with the figure for 2020, this means that the proportion of laboratory animals used in basic research declined by almost 2% in 2021. About 14% of the animals were used as part of research into human and animal diseases (figure 5).

 Roughly 17% of the animals were used as part of production and quality control processes for medical products or for toxicological safety testing. Another 8% of the animals were required to maintain colonies of established, genetically modified animals and could not be utilised in further experiments. Other experimental purposes, such as for the protection of species, for educational purposes, or for the protection of the natural environment, made up around 4.5% of all experiments. Additionally, a total of 788 mice were used for forensic investigations in 2021. No animals had been used for this purpose as recently as 2020. A detailed presentation of animal numbers broken down by individual experimental purpose is given in table 9 in the detailed report.

Figure 5: Percentage breakdown of the uses of laboratory animals for different experimental purposes, in 2020 and 2021. For a larger version of this image, please click here (1.5 MB).

¹⁾ From the 2021 reporting year, this category has been split into ‘Higher education’ and ‘Training for the acquisition, maintenance or improvement of vocational skills’, in accordance with European Commission guidelines. To ensure comparability with the 2020 reporting year, both educational categories have been consolidated here. For more detail, please see the report on laboratory animal figures for 2021.

Animal experiments in basic research

In 2021, investigations conducted into the nervous system (21%), the immune system (18%), the cardiovascular system (13%) and in fields affecting multiple organ systems (multi-systemic, around 14%) accounted for the majority of experiments conducted in basic research (see table 4). These numbers have remained virtually unchanged year-on-year. A comparatively large increase of around 5% year-on-year was only seen in relation to the animals utilised in experiments conducted on the nervous system (the total number of animals used for this purpose increased by around 20% year-on-year). In contrast, a sharp decline was seen in the number of animals used in experiments for ethological basic research, animal behaviour and animal biology. Compared with the previous year, around 58% fewer laboratory animals were used for this purpose in 2021. For the first time in 2021, experiments could also be classified as “Developmental biology”. This new category accounted for a proportion of around 2% of all animals used within basic research.

Table 4: Laboratory animals used in basic research in 2021, by experimental purpose. 

Animal experiments in translational and applied research

As in the previous year, applied research into disease in 2021 focused on cancers in humans. About 40% of the animals used in applied research were used in this field (see table 5). Compared with the previous year, this number remained almost unchanged in 2021. The proportion of laboratory animals used in research into human neurological disorders also remained stable, at around 12%. In contrast, changes were seen in the field of human infectious diseases, with the proportion of laboratory animals used rising to around 10% (around 7% in 2020). Overall, the number of animal experiments conducted for this purpose rose by 63% year-on-year. In the field of human immune disorders, the figure for laboratory animals used also rose by around 20%, compared with 2020. A decline was observed, however, in the proportions and numbers of experiments conducted in the fields of human cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal disorders (see report). The new category of animal nutrition introduced in the 2021 reporting year accounted for a proportion of around 5% of all laboratory animals used within translational and applied research.

Table 5: Laboratory animals used in translational and applied research in 2021, by experimental purpose. 

A detailed list of laboratory animal numbers can be found in the detailed report on laboratory animal numbers in 2021.

New categories for laboratory animal reporting

In 2021, new categories were introduced for laboratory animal reporting. This step was taken in response to the amended Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/569, which entered into force in 2020 and is to be consulted when interpreting the national Laboratory Animal Reporting Ordinance. One change was to split the former category ‘Higher education or training for the acquisition, maintenance or improvement of vocational skills’ into the categories of ‘Higher education’ and ‘Training for the acquisition, maintenance or improvement of vocational skills’. Another was to introduce the new category of ‘Developmental biology’ as part of basic research and the new category of ‘Animal nutrition’ as part of translational and applied research. For the category of ‘Routine production’, a distinction has been made between ‘Monoclonal antibodies by ascites method only’ and ‘Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies (excluding ascites method)’ in the production of antibodies since the 2021 reporting year. In addition, the ‘Other fish’ category for animal species was further subdivided into ‘Sea bass’, ‘Salmon, trout, chars and graylings’ and ‘Guppies, swordtails, molly and platy’. A new group, ‘Turkeys’ has also been added. In the category of ‘Other species of non-human primates’, a distinction is now made between ‘Other species of New World monkeys’ and ‘Other species of Old World monkeys’. In relation to non-human primates, figures now record how many animals are sourced from self-sustaining colonies. These new categories were accounted for when preparing this report.

Review: Animal experiment figures from 2009 to 2020

The BfR first published data collected in accordance with laboratory animal reporting in 2020. The reported figures can be accessed here.

For the use of animals in animal experiments from 2009 to 2019, the website of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), which was responsible for the publication of the data at that time, provides a presentation as well as detailed comparative data.

Go to animal experiment 2009-2019

Activities to promote the ‘3R’ principle (replacement, reduction, refinement) 

The Federal Republic of Germany endeavours to reduce the number of animals used in experiments. For this reason, various measures are being taken to replace animal experiments with alternative methods as quickly as possible. These include scientific measures that are implemented and promoted by the German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R) at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). Measures also include research financed by the Foundation for the Funding of Research into Alternative and Complementary Methods to Restrict Animal Experiments (set), various funding measures from the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research to develop alternative methods to animal experiments, and the annual award of the Animal Welfare Research Prize by the BMEL. 

Background information on the collection of laboratory animal data

The EU Directive 2010/63/EU entered into force on 9 November 2010. Its transposition into national law in 2013 also necessitated a revision of the Laboratory Animal Reporting Ordinance with a broadening of reporting obligations for the use of laboratory animals. Since then, reporting is also required on the use of cephalopods (e.g. squids and octopuses) and vertebrate larvae, as well as the breeding of genetically modified animals. In addition, the severity of the overall pain, suffering or harm (no restoration of vital functions, mild, moderate, severe) to which the animals are exposed as a result of their use must also be reported. The recording of animal use in experiments in compliance with these new requirements was undertaken for the first time in 2014. On 11 August 2021, the Laboratory Animal Reporting Ordinance was amended to include a requirement to provide annual figures on the numbers of animals reared and killed without being used for scientific purposes. Data for these ‘Animals killed for other reasons’ was first collected for the 2021 reporting year.

Since 2021, the European Commission has maintained a searchable and freely accessible database on laboratory animal statistics (see Article 54 of the EU Laboratory Animal Directive 2010/63/EU). The ALURES Database contains statistical data on the annual use of laboratory animals within the European Union. An explanatory video is also provided there that contains detailed instructions on how to use the database.

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