Mouse

Strain-specific effects of cage enrichment in male laboratory mice (Mus musculus)

The relationship between aggression, testosterone and 'enrichment' [clear Perspex tunnel and a small handful of shredded tissue] suggest that increasing complexity in laboratory cages may increase a naturally selected territorial response in some strains. ... Enrichment, as used in this...

Year Published: 1999Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Nevison, C. M., Hurst, J. L., Barnard, C. J. 1999. Strain-specific effects of cage enrichment in male laboratory mice (Mus musculus). Animal Welfare 8, 361-379.

Inexpensive ideas for rabbit and rodent environmental enrichment

Paper towel rolls were successfully used as environmental enrichment objects for rats, mice and rabbits.

Year Published: 1999Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Racciato, J., Noll, L. 1999. Inexpensive ideas for rabbit and rodent environmental enrichment. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 4(1), 3.

A rodent model of spontaneous stereotypy: initial characterization of development, environmental, and neurobiological factors

Preliminary observations suggest that increasing environmental complexity is associated with decreased stereotypy. Stereotypies are patterns of motor behavior that are repetitive, excessive, topographically invariant, and that lack any obvious function or purpose. [p. 355]

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Powell, S. B., Newman, H. A., Pendergast, J. et al. 1999. A rodent model of spontaneous stereotypy: initial characterization of development, environmental, and neurobiological factors. Physiology and Behavior 66, 355-363.

Evaluation of environmental enrichment for laboratory mice

Providing a cage with a preferred nesting material can be a relatively simple method to contribute to the well-being of laboratory mice, without jeopardizing the outcome of experiments. Thus, there seems to be no good reason to deprive laboratory mice...

Year Published: 1999Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van de Weerd, H. A., Baumans, V. 1999. Evaluation of environmental enrichment for laboratory mice. Animal Welfare Information Center [AWIC] Newsletter 9(3-4), 1-2 & 18-19.

Improvements in transgenic animal husbandry and welfare: Provision of exercise wheels for group housed mice

The wheels are in almost constant use. The introduction of wheels therefore led to a cessation of the stereotypic cage climbing behaviour and the gnawing of food. However, there is some controversy as to whether wheel running is in itself...

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Redrobe, S. 1999. Improvements in transgenic animal husbandry and welfare: Provision of exercise wheels for group housed mice. Animal Technology 50, 181-182.

The problem with nestlets and Athymic Nudes

A colony of Hsd:Athymic Nude-nu mice was found to have an increased prevalence of conjunctivitis. .. It was theorized, because Athymic Nude mice lack the normal fur, i.e., guard hairs, and eye lashes, the fibers from nestlets can easily become...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Bazille, P. G. 2000. The problem with nestlets and Athymic Nudes. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 123 (Abstract).

Improving the environment of mice by using synthetic gauze pads

The mice with gauze pads preferred to rest on them. In addition, these mice showed a statistically significant reduction in food consumption, but their body weights and weight gains did not differ from those of animals without gauze pads.

Year Published: 2000Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Smith, G. D., Hoffman, W. P., Lee, E. M. et al. 2000. Improving the environment of mice by using synthetic gauze pads . Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 39(6), 51-53.

The Dalila effect:C57BL6 mice barber whiskers by plucking

Barbering is a common abnormal behavior in laboratory mice. Barbers hold down their cage mates, who adopt a defensive posture, and remove hair by plucking with their incisors. Once removed, the hair is often chewed by the barber. Although plucking...

Year Published: 2000Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sarna, J. R., Dyck, R. H., Whishaw, I. Q. 2000. The Dalila effect:C57BL6 mice barber whiskers by plucking. Behavioural Brain Research 108, 39-45.

Digging behavior of ddY mouse

In the present studies, the behavior of ddY mice digging wood chips was carefully observed. When mice were individually placed on new 5 cm-thick wood chips, their behavior was found to be the same irrespective of their age or sex....

Year Published: 2000Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Masuad, Y., Ishigooka, S., Matsuda, Y. 2000. Digging behavior of ddY mouse. Experimental Animal 49, 235-237.

The development of a novel form of mouse cage enrichment

We incorporated a number of existing enrichments into a one-piece insert which covers the entire cage base and comprises two raised platforms and an in-build shelter. This design of combining a shelter and [high and low] platforms into one insert...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Leach, M. C., Ambrose, N., Bowell, V. J. et al. 2000. The development of a novel form of mouse cage enrichment. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 3, 81-91.