Precautions for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Animal Experiments

doi:10.12300/j.issn.1674-5817.2025.017

Abstract

Abstract:

Animal experiments play a pivotal role in life sciences and medical research. However, due to small sample sizes, high heterogeneity in experimental design, and limited reproducibility, the generalizability and reliability of their results are often questioned. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, as essential tools of evidence-based medicine, integrate multiple studies to enhance the scientific rigor and clinical relevance of animal research. This paper systematically reviews the writing process for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of animal experiments, covering key aspects such as preparation, structured writing of titles and abstracts, introduction, methodology, results presentation, and discussion. Additionally, this paper incorporates existing reporting guidelines (e.g., PRISMA, SYRCLE, ARRIVE) to propose strategies for optimizing manuscript preparation, with particular emphasis on recommendations for discussing result interpretation, heterogeneity, publication bias, and the extrapolative validity of findings. By summarizing practical experience and offering modular writing recommendations, this paper aims to provide researchers with a comprehensive reference to promote the standardization of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of animal experiments, thereby enhancing their value in scientific research and clinical translation.

Key words: Animal experiment, Systematic review, Meta-analysis, Evidence-based medicine, Writing standards

CLC Number:

Q95-33

ZHENG Qingyong,YANG Donghua,MA Zhichao,et al. Precautions for Conducting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Animal Experiments[J]. Laboratory Animal and Comparative Medicine. DOI: 10.12300/j.issn.1674-5817.2025.017.

Figures/Tables 3

References 31

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序号No.	模块 Module	具体报告内容 Report details
1	标题与背景信息	·明确标注“临床前研究”、“动物实验”或具体物种·研究目的与问题的陈述 ·简要说明研究背景及意义 ·体现研究的转化医学关联与潜在应用价值
2	研究问题（PICO要素）	·P：动物种属、品系、周龄、性别等·I：干预措施（药物、手术等）、给药途径、剂量标准化 ·C：对照条件（安慰剂、不同剂量或干预方式等）·O：主要和次要结局指标
3	文献检索策略	·检索数据库（如PubMed、Embase等，含动物实验特殊数据库）·检索时间范围·检索词及逻辑关系（结合MeSH词汇与自由词）·灰色文献的检索与记录
4	纳排标准	明确纳入标准（如动物物种、实验设计、干预措施、结局指标等）与排除标准（如数据不完整、无对照组等）
5	偏倚风险评估	使用的评估工具（如SYRCLE工具），简述偏倚风险评估的具体维度（如随机化、分组隐藏、检测盲法实施等）
6	数据提取与管理	·提取的变量（实验条件、干预措施、主要和次要结局指标等） ·数据处理方法（如单位换算、分组标准化、重复数据的处理方式）
7	统计分析方法	·异质性分析方法（如I²统计量、Q检验） ·敏感性分析及亚组分析的设计、处理跨物种实验结果的整合方法、规范化跨实验室环境差异的策略等
8	伦理与利益冲突	声明研究的伦理原则、披露研究者的利益冲突
9	其他信息	预期开始与完成时间、当前研究状态、研究工作基础、已完成或正在进行的类似研究等

序号No.	模块 Module	具体报告内容 Report details
1	标题与背景信息	·明确标注“临床前研究”、“动物实验”或具体物种·研究目的与问题的陈述 ·简要说明研究背景及意义 ·体现研究的转化医学关联与潜在应用价值
2	研究问题（PICO要素）	·P：动物种属、品系、周龄、性别等·I：干预措施（药物、手术等）、给药途径、剂量标准化 ·C：对照条件（安慰剂、不同剂量或干预方式等）·O：主要和次要结局指标
3	文献检索策略	·检索数据库（如PubMed、Embase等，含动物实验特殊数据库）·检索时间范围·检索词及逻辑关系（结合MeSH词汇与自由词）·灰色文献的检索与记录
4	纳排标准	明确纳入标准（如动物物种、实验设计、干预措施、结局指标等）与排除标准（如数据不完整、无对照组等）
5	偏倚风险评估	使用的评估工具（如SYRCLE工具），简述偏倚风险评估的具体维度（如随机化、分组隐藏、检测盲法实施等）
6	数据提取与管理	·提取的变量（实验条件、干预措施、主要和次要结局指标等） ·数据处理方法（如单位换算、分组标准化、重复数据的处理方式）
7	统计分析方法	·异质性分析方法（如I²统计量、Q检验） ·敏感性分析及亚组分析的设计、处理跨物种实验结果的整合方法、规范化跨实验室环境差异的策略等
8	伦理与利益冲突	声明研究的伦理原则、披露研究者的利益冲突
9	其他信息	预期开始与完成时间、当前研究状态、研究工作基础、已完成或正在进行的类似研究等

检索维度 Search facets	数据库/平台名称 Database/Platform	内容/特点 Content & features
通用数据库	PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、Scopus、OVID、LILACS等	全球主流生物医学文献
通用数据库	CBM、CNKI、万方等	涵盖中文动物实验研究
专业数据库	MGI小鼠基因组数据库	小鼠基因型-表型数据、标准化疾病模型
	实验动物资源库	中国实验动物模型与实验设计规范
	Animal Study Registry	动物实验前瞻性注册库，追踪未发表或进行中研究
灰色文献	OpenGrey	欧洲技术报告、会议论文
	ProQuest Dissertations & Theses、EThOS等	未公开学位论文中的实验数据
	CAB Abstracts	农业与兽医科学数据（疾病模型、毒理学）
预印本平台	bioRxiv、medRxiv等	涵盖最新动物实验预印本研究

检索维度 Search facets	数据库/平台名称 Database/Platform	内容/特点 Content & features
通用数据库	PubMed、Embase、Web of Science、Scopus、OVID、LILACS等	全球主流生物医学文献
通用数据库	CBM、CNKI、万方等	涵盖中文动物实验研究
专业数据库	MGI小鼠基因组数据库	小鼠基因型-表型数据、标准化疾病模型
	实验动物资源库	中国实验动物模型与实验设计规范
	Animal Study Registry	动物实验前瞻性注册库，追踪未发表或进行中研究
灰色文献	OpenGrey	欧洲技术报告、会议论文
	ProQuest Dissertations & Theses、EThOS等	未公开学位论文中的实验数据
	CAB Abstracts	农业与兽医科学数据（疾病模型、毒理学）
预印本平台	bioRxiv、medRxiv等	涵盖最新动物实验预印本研究

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