Mouse

The effects of individual housing on mice and rats: a review

Although the effects of individual housing have been an issue for the last forty years, it remains difficult to elucidate its impact on animal welfare.

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Krohn, T. C., Sorensen, D. B., Ottesen, J. L. et al. 2006. The effects of individual housing on mice and rats: a review. Animal Welfare 15(4), 343-352.

Hair barbering in mice: implications for neurobehavioural research

Barbering (fur/whisker trimming, the Dalila effect) is a behaviour-associated hair and whisker loss frequently seen in laboratory rodents, including mice. Here we analyse barbering behaviour in 129S1, NMRI, C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse strains and some of their F1 hybrids. Our...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kalueff, A. V., Minasyan, A., Keisala, T. et al. 2006. Hair barbering in mice: implications for neurobehavioural research. Behavioural Processes 71, 8-15.

Individual and group housing in N-type Ca2+ Channel a1B subunit-deficient mice differently affect motor activity

We evaluated the effect of a 6-wk postweaning period of either individual or group housing on the activity displayed in a novel environment with or without previous habituation. Without habituation, male homozygous a1B-deficient mice showed significantly higher activity than wild-type...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Takahashi, E., Nagasu, T. 2006. Individual and group housing in N-type Ca2+ Channel a1B subunit-deficient mice differently affect motor activity. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science] 45(5), 44-47.

Effects of light or dark phase testing on behavioural and cognitive performance in DBA mice

Naive DBA/2N (DBA) mice were tested in the modified hole board (mHB) either during the dark phase under red light or during the light phase under white light. Different behavioural dimensions and cognitive functions were evaluated in parallel. Depending on...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Roedel, A., Storch, C., Holsboer, F. et al. 2006. Effects of light or dark phase testing on behavioural and cognitive performance in DBA mice . Laboratory Animals 40(4), 371-381.

Studies in cage changing frequency for mice housed in IVCs

Results indicate that the mice did not appear to be adversely affected by extending the cage-changing interval, regardless of bedding type or depth.

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Browne, P. 2007. Studies in cage changing frequency for mice housed in IVCs. Institute of Animal Technology [IAT] Congress, 32.

Do mice benefit from prefabricated dwellings? A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum

I conclude from our discussion that commercial prefabricated dwellings for mice are useful only if they are made of GLP-accepted material that the animals can readily gnaw and convert into nesting and bedding material. Since mice have a biologically inherent...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Barley, J., Francis, R., Van Loo, P. et al. 2006. Do mice benefit from prefabricated dwellings? A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 5(1), 13-15.

Laboratory environments and rodents’ behavioural needs: a review

Laboratory housing conditions have significant physiological and psychological effects on rodents, raising both scientific and humane concerns. Published studies of rats, mice and other rodents were reviewed to document behavioural and psychological problems attributable to predominant laboratory housing conditions. Studies...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Balcombe, J. P. 2006. Laboratory environments and rodents' behavioural needs: a review. Laboratory Animals 40, 217-235.

Considerations for determining optimal mouse caging density

A meeting summary. The panel largely agreed that animal well-being should be the measure of interest in evaluating housing density and that well-being includes not only physical health, but also animals' behavior, productivity and preference.

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Foltz, C., Carbone, L., DeLong, D. et al. 2007. Considerations for determining optimal mouse caging density. Lab Animal 36(10), 40-49.

Effects of cage size and enrichment on aggression and stereotypic behavior in three strains of laboratory mice

For female mice, increased complexity of space is more important than the quantity of space.

Year Published: 2007Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Forsyth, N., Young, G., Mench, J. 2007. Effects of cage size and enrichment on aggression and stereotypic behavior in three strains of laboratory mice. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 26 (Abstract).

Integrated approaches to developing and implementing the 3Rs at MRC NIMR

A number of different 3Rs initiatives are described. Refinement: The use of methods that alleviate or minimise potential pain, suffering or distress, and enhance animal welfare. [p 131] At NIMR [National Institute for Medical Reserch], animal technicians led the work...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: All/General, Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Fern, S. L. 2007. Integrated approaches to developing and implementing the 3Rs at MRC NIMR. Animal Technology and Welfare 6, 129-136.