Mouse

The effects of handling on mouse behavior: cupped hands versus familiar or novel huts or tunnels (2025)

Mice are commonly tail-handled, despite evidence that this is aversive. Alternatives include cupping and tunnel handling; both methods are associated with improved welfare outcomes, including reduced anxiety and improved ease of handling, but tail handling may be perceived as more...

Year Published: 2025Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Bodnar, M. J., Makowska, I. J., Schuppli, C. A. et al. 2025. The effects of handling on mouse behavior: Cupped hands versus familiar or novel huts or tunnels. PLOS ONE 20(5), e0323785.

Understanding and mitigating male mouse aggression

We formed a global working group to identify the triggers of aggression e.g. behaviours seen prior to fighting occurring and have identified strategies to mitigate these triggers. We have also identified the signs of a harmonious cage, how to identify...

Year Published: 2025Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Baker, T., Ostman, S., Edwaldsson, B. et al. 2025. Understanding and mitigating male mouse aggression. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(1), 49–52.

A systematic review of the effects of musical enrichment on captive mammals (2025)

Forty two studies examining physiological, behavioural and cognitive mammalian responses to music were identified, with 38.1% of those studies focusing on primates. The studies identified included 23 mammalian species across six animal orders (Artiodactyla, Carnivora, Perissodactyla, Primates, Proboscidea and Rodentia)....

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Chimpanzee, Chinchilla, Dog, Gerbil, Gibbon, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mole Rat, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Alkalaj, M. 2025. A systematic review of the effects of musical enrichment on captive mammals. Canopy 25(2).

Hands-on refinements: Establishing improved husbandry processes for aged C57BL/6 mice

The main aim of this project was to review the husbandry processes in place for the colony of aged C57BL/6 mice at the Babraham Institute, establish a refined husbandry process and improve local guidance. Secondly, by analysing fate and clinical...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Paterson, A. 2024. Hands-on refinements: Establishing improved husbandry processes for aged C57BL/6 mice. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(2), 129–131.

Non-invasive sampling methods for genotyping: Improvements towards the 4r principle

In research involving genetically modified mice which is usually to perform genotyping using invasive ear or tail biopsies in 92% of cases, there is a growing shift towards non-invasive sampling techniques such as oral swabs, hair, faeces and tears. Our...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Identification MethodAnimal Type: Mouse, Rabbit, Rodent

Citation: Thasian-Sivarajah, S., Mohr, R., Walter, M. et al. 2024. Non-invasive sampling methods for genotyping: Improvements towards the 4r principle. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(2), 133–136.

Testing perioperative meloxicam analgesia to enhance welfare while preserving model validity in an inflammation-induced seizure model

Despite the international effort to improve laboratory animal welfare through the 3R principles (Reduce, Refine, Replace), many scientists still fail to implement and report their assessment of pain and well-being, likely due to concerns regarding the potential effects of analgesics...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Analgesia, Disease/Experimental Model, Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Weiß, E., Pauletti, A., Egilmez, A. et al. 2024. Testing perioperative meloxicam analgesia to enhance welfare while preserving model validity in an inflammation-induced seizure model. Scientific Reports 14(1), 30563.

A new approach (CSA-Score) to assessing the cumulative overall stress load in the case of animal experiments and even beyond

In laboratory animal science, severity assessment has been mandatory by European law since 2013. Various severity assessments have been created for many single manipulations. However, when multiple harmful interventions or stressors occur simultaneously or repeatedly, the cumulative overall severity is...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Mouse, Pig, Rodent

Citation: Helmig, S., Wenzel, S. 2024. A new approach (CSA-Score) to assessing the cumulative overall stress load in the case of animal experiments and even beyond. Discover Animals 1(1), 38.

Ultrasound to ultrasee—The use of ultrasound to determine pregnancy in mice

Several MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) groups require early-stage mouse embryos for their scientific research programmes. Traditionally, Animal Technicians have relied on visual checks or palpation of the abdomen to determine pregnancy in mice. In 2017 an ultrasound machine...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Imaging & Electrophysiological Recording, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Karam, C., Kemp, K. 2024. Ultrasound to ultrasee—The use of ultrasound to determine pregnancy in mice. Animal Technology and Welfare 23(2), 121–127.

Do we still need a canary in the coal mine for laboratory animal facilities? A systematic review of environmental health monitoring versus soiled bedding sentinels

Introduction Despite increasing evidence that Environmental Health Monitoring (EHM) is an effective method to perform rodent colony health surveillance, promotes the 3Rs as a Replacement, is comparable or reduces cost, and demonstrates labor benefits, many research institutions continue to use...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & Management, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: LaFollette, M. R., Clement, C. S., Luchins, K. R. et al. 2024. Do we still need a canary in the coal mine for laboratory animal facilities? A systematic review of environmental health monitoring versus soiled bedding sentinels. PLOS ONE 19(12), e0311840.

Social contagion of pain and fear results in opposite social behaviors in rodents: Meta- analysis of experimental studies

The study aimed to explore the key factors influencing emotional valence in rodents, focusing on the critical elements that distinguish the contagion processes of fear and pain.MethodsThrough a systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined behavioral outcomes of rodents exposed to...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Du, R., Yu, Y., Wang, X.-L. et al. 2024. Social contagion of pain and fear results in opposite social behaviors in rodents: Meta- analysis of experimental studies. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 18.