Mouse

Study of environmental enrichment for mice using a Nestpak?

The use of Nestpaks proved to be a useful environmental enrichment for our mice, causing them to work in nest construction from start to finish rather than having a nest pre-constructed.

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Rustell, L. 2008. Study of environmental enrichment for mice using a Nestpak?. Animal Technology and Welfare 7(1), 21-23.

Decreased corticolimbic allopregnanolone expression during social isolation enhances contextual fear: A model relevant for posttraumatic stress disorder

Mice subjected to (3-4 weeks) exhibit enhanced contextual fear responses and impaired fear extinction. These responses are time-related to a decrease of 5alpha-reductase type I (5alpha-RI) and allopregnanolone (Allo) levels in selected neurons of the medial prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and...

Year Published: 2008Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Pibiri, F., Nelson, M., Guidotti, A. et al. 2008. Decreased corticolimbic allopregnanolone expression during social isolation enhances contextual fear: A model relevant for posttraumatic stress disorder. Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences 105, 5567-5572.

Double-mouse perch designed as an enrichment and life-saving device

This device [suspended from wire grid] is a well-used form of enrichment and an effective life-saving platform during accidental cage flooding.

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Phillips, K. A., King, G., Ibanez, A. et al. 2008. Double-mouse perch designed as an enrichment and life-saving device. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 95-96 (Abstract).

Individual housing of mice – Impact on behaviour and stress responses

The replicability of results derived from studies in rodents might be influenced by stress caused by inappropriate housing conditions. Here we compared the experimental behaviour and stress response (circulating corticosterone level and adrenal tyrosine hydroxylase activity) of individually-housed male and...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Arndt SS, Laarakker MC, van Lith HA, et al. 2009. Individual housing of mice - Impact on behaviour and stress responses. Physio and Behav. 97;385-93.

Enrichment from birth accelerates the functional and cellular development of a motor control area in the mouse

There is strong evidence that sensory experience in early life has a profound influence on the development of sensory circuits. Very little is known, however, about the role of experience in the early development of striatal networks which regulate both...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Simonetti, T., Lee, H., Bourke, M. et al. 2009. Enrichment from birth accelerates the functional and cellular development of a motor control area in the mouse. PLOS ONE 4, e6780.

Novel food items as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits

This column discusses the use of novel dietary supplements as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits. Items are commercially available from lab animal supply companies. The purpose of enrichment is to encourage behaviors that are appropriate for a particular species...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Mouse, Other Rodent, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Brown, C. 2009. Novel food items as environmental enrichment for rodents and rabbits. Lab Animal 38(4), 119-120.

Development of a standard operating procedure for warming hypothermic mice due to flooded caging

Leakage from the water valves on rodent automatic water systems can cause flooding and animals to become hypothermic if not found early. ... The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal timing and distance for placement when using...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Hedrick, C. S., Chipps, J., Hickman-Davis, J. 2009. Development of a standard operating procedure for warming hypothermic mice due to flooded caging. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 109 (Abstract).

Blood collection from the sublingual vein in mice and hamsters: a suitable alternative to retrobulbar technique that provides large volumes and minimizes tissue damage

Blood examination is a key element in studies of laboratory animals. In rodents, retrobulbar venous plexus puncture is a commonly used method for obtaining a blood sample. Although this technique yields large volumes of blood, the disadvantage is that it...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Hamster, Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Heimann, M., Kasermann, H. P., Pfister, R. et al. 2009. Blood collection from the sublingual vein in mice and hamsters: a suitable alternative to retrobulbar technique that provides large volumes and minimizes tissue damage . Laboratory Animals 43, 255-260.

Some like it hot: Mouse temperature preferences in laboratory housing

In standard laboratory environments mice are housed at 20-24 °C. However, their thermoneutral zone ranges between 26 °C and 34 °C. This challenge to homeostasis is by definition stressful, and could therefore affect many aspects of physiology and behavior.We tested...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gaskill, B. N., Rohr, S. A., Pajor, E. A. et al. 2009. Some like it hot: Mouse temperature preferences in laboratory housing. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 116(2-4), 279-285.

Impact of nesting material on mouse thermoregulation and variability

Mice appear to be in a negative thermal balance under moderately cool standard laboratory conditions. However, giving nesting material, they can alleviate this thermal stress and reduce heat lost to the environment by building a nest appropriate to their specific...

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gaskill, B., Gordon, C. J., Pajor, E. A. et al. 2009. Impact of nesting material on mouse thermoregulation and variability. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 81 (Abstract).