Mouse

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).

Addressing the Environmental Enrichment Needs of Mice: Thinking Outside the Cage

The challenge of providing effective enrichment to mice is to ensure that it allows for normal behavioral opportunities. Studies are ongoing to further identify the behavioral needs of mice in the laboratory environment. Many innovative choices of environmental enrichment devices...

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

Citation: Froberg-Fejko, K. M. 2009. Addressing the Environmental Enrichment Needs of Mice: Thinking Outside the Cage. Enrichment Record (online publication) 1.

Quality of plasma sampled by different methods for multiple blood sampling in mice

For oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in mice, multiple blood samples need to be taken within a few hours from conscious mice. Today, a number of essential parameters may be analysed on very small amounts of plasma, thus reducing the...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Christensen, S. D., Mikkelsen, L. F., Fels, J. J. et al. 2009. Quality of plasma sampled by different methods for multiple blood sampling in mice. Laboratory Animals 43, 65-71.

Evaluation of five bedding types on male nude mouse health and aggression

Corncob appeared to show the least amount aggression. Apsen chip seemed to increase aggression in male nudes.

Year Published: 2009Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Lawton, S. E. 2009. Evaluation of five bedding types on male nude mouse health and aggression. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 18 (Abstract).

Lab toys – How does cage enrichment affect rodents?

Excellent review of practical questions pertaining to environmental enrichment for rats and mice.

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

Citation: Katsnelson, A. 2009. Lab toys - How does cage enrichment affect rodents? The Scientist 23(10), 30.

Effects of cage size and enrichment on reproductive performance and behavior in C57BL/6Tac mice

While cage size did not affect reproductive performance, enrichment (regardless of cage size) did signficicantly benefit reproductive performance; pups from non-enriched cages weighed less and fewer survived to weaning age than pups from enriched cages.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Whitaker, J., Moy, S. S., Godfrey, V. et al. 2009. Effects of cage size and enrichment on reproductive performance and behavior in C57BL/6Tac mice. Lab Animal 38(1), 24-34.