Rat

Non-invasive acquisition of vital data in anesthetized rats using laser and radar application

The aim of this study was to verify the possibility of obtaining vital sign information using a laser and radar sensor in a manner that is non-invasive and painless for test animals. A dataset was obtained from respiratory movement of...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Kawabe, T., Kita, S., Ohmura, I. et al. 2024. Non-invasive acquisition of vital data in anesthetized rats using laser and radar application. Laboratory Animals 58(6), 591–601.

Comparison of sucrose and maltose as reinforcers in an operant choice paradigm

Two experiments compared the reinforcing effects of sucrose and maltose across a range of concentrations. The results were interpreted using the Multiplicative Hyperbolic Model of reinforcer value (MHM). In Experiment 1, rats were exposed to a discrete-trials schedule in which...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Bradshaw, C. M. 2024. Comparison of sucrose and maltose as reinforcers in an operant choice paradigm. Behavioural Processes 220, 105075.

How much “enrichment” is enough for laboratory rodents? A systematic review and meta-analysis re-assessing the impact of well-resourced cages on morbidity and mortality

Laboratory rodent housing often fails to meet rodents' behavioral and physiological needs. We previously found that compared to well-resourced (often called 'enriched') housing, conventional cages increase mortality rates and the morbidity of stress-sensitive experimentally-induced diseases (anxiety, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cait, J., Winder, C. B., Mason, G. J. 2024. How much “enrichment” is enough for laboratory rodents? A systematic review and meta-analysis re-assessing the impact of well-resourced cages on morbidity and mortality. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 278, 106361.

Refinement of intranasal delivery in rats: A cadaveric study

The intranasal route enables direct delivery of multiple substances from the nose to the brain, through olfactory and trigeminal pathways, bypassing the blood–brain barrier and avoiding systemic absorption. Despite the potential of this route, the various administration approaches make data...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Pereira, M. N., Venâncio, C., Pinto, M. de L. et al. 2024. Refinement of intranasal delivery in rats: A cadaveric study. Laboratory Animals 58(4), 324–333.

Periodic stays in a ‘playcage’ as an environmental enrichment measure for laboratory rats housed in individually ventilated cages: Short report

Male Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley rats were housed in standard individually ventilated cages with floor area of 1500 cm2, and were placed in a ‘playcage' (a large open cage) for three visits per week from the age of 16–18 weeks. The...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Gudbrandsen, O. A. 2024. Periodic stays in a ‘playcage' as an environmental enrichment measure for laboratory rats housed in individually ventilated cages: Short report. Laboratory Animals 58(4), 365–368.

Assessing susceptibility to carbon dioxide gas in three rat strains using the loss of righting reflex

Overdose of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is a common euthanasia method for rodents; however, CO2 exposure activates nociceptors in rats at concentrations equal to or greater than 37% and is reported to be painful in humans at concentrations equal to...

Year Published: 2024Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Merenick, D. R., Munro, B. A., Gee, J. M. et al. 2024. Assessing susceptibility to carbon dioxide gas in three rat strains using the loss of righting reflex. JAALAS 63(3), 310–315.

Rat tickling: A systematic review of applications, outcomes, and moderators

Year Published: 2017Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: LaFollette, M. R., O'Haire, M. E., Cloutier, S. et al. 2017. Rat tickling: A systematic review of applications, outcomes, and moderators. PLOS ONE 12(4), e0175320. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175320

Laughing rats are optimistic

Emotions can bias human decisions- for example depressed or anxious people tend to make pessimistic judgements while those in positive affective states are often more optimistic. Several studies have reported that affect contingent judgement biases can also be produced in...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Rygula, R., Pluta, H., Popik, P. 2012. Laughing rats are optimistic. PLOS ONE 7(12), e51959.

Guidance on the transport of laboratory animals

Report of the Transport Working Group established by the Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA)

Year Published: 2005Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Amphibian, Cat, Dog, Ferret, Frog & Toad, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Salamander

Citation: Swallow, J., Anderson, D., Buckwell, A. C. et al. 2005. Guidance on the transport of laboratory animals. Laboratory Animals 39(1), 1-39.

The impact of light, noise, cage cleaning and in-house transport on welfare and stress of laboratory rats

Human interaction and physical environmental factors are part of the stimuli presented to laboratory animals everyday, influencing their behaviour and physiology and contributing to their welfare. Certain environmental conditions and routine procedures in the animal facility might induce stress responses...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Husbandry & Management, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Castelhano-Carlos, M. J., Baumans, V. 2009. The impact of light, noise, cage cleaning and in-house transport on welfare and stress of laboratory rats. Laboratory Animals 43(4), 311-327.