Rat

An enriched commune housing system for laboratory rats – a preliminary view

I believe that rats housed in research laboratories in polypropylen boxes with a floor area of 1600 sqcm and a height of 20 cm are ethologically, physiologically and psychologically aberrant and cannot be considered as normal animals. An enriched group-housing...

Year Published: 1993Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Batchelor, G. R. 1993. An enriched commune housing system for laboratory rats - a preliminary view. Animal Technology 44, 201-213.

Should large rats be housed in large cages? An empirical issue

In the present experiment, eight large rats (489-623 g) were each allowed to choose for 24 hr between a 16.8-cm-high [barren] cage and a 23-cm-high [barren] cage. The rats failed to exhibit any preference for the higher cage. It is...

Year Published: 1993Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Galef Jr., B. G., Durlach, P. 1993. Should large rats be housed in large cages? An empirical issue. Canadian Psychology 34, 203-207.

The effect of scents on the territorial and aggressive behaviour of laboratory rats

In the present work we analyse social relations presented by laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus, Wistar breed) in seminatural conditions, with special reference to behaviours of dominance, territorialism and aggressiveness, and the importance that these marks of odour play on these...

Year Published: 1993Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Garcia-Brull, P. D., Nunez, J., Nunez, A. 1993. The effect of scents on the territorial and aggressive behaviour of laboratory rats . Behavioural Processes 29, 25-36.

Effects of gender and social isolation on electroencephalogram and neuroendocrine parameters in rats

Same-sex pairs were established and partners separated after 6 weeks. The effects of 6 weeks of [subsequent] social isolation on electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) functioning were studied. Separation resulted in significant sleep disturbances - as measured in EEG...

Year Published: 1993Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Ehlers, C. L., Kaneko, W. M., Owens, M. J. et al. 1993. Effects of gender and social isolation on electroencephalogram and neuroendocrine parameters in rats. Biological Psychiatry 33, 358-366.

Evaluation of inanimate objects on commonly monitored variables in preclinical safety studies for mice and rats

None of the inanimate objects [gauze pads] had an adverse effect on commonly tested variables monitored in preclinical safety studies.

Year Published: 1993Animal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Watson, D. S. B. 1993. Evaluation of inanimate objects on commonly monitored variables in preclinical safety studies for mice and rats. Laboratory Animal Science 43, 378-380.

Sound levels in rooms housing laboratory animals: An uncontrolled daily variable

It is clear that the acoustic environment of laboratory animals is a daily variable that is usually uncontrolled and that may have important implications for behavioural and physiological experiments and for animal welfare.

Year Published: 1993Animal Type: All/General, Mouse, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Milligan, S. R., Sales, G. D., Khirnykh, K. 1993. Sound levels in rooms housing laboratory animals: An uncontrolled daily variable. Physiology and Behavior 53, 1067-1076.

The rest/activity rhythm of the laboratory rat housed under different systems

The mean activity during the hours of darkness for all housing situations was in the region of 50%, while during the day this was reduced to between 14-19%. No matter what housing system [single versus double commune box] and enrichment...

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Batchelor, G. R. 1994. The rest/activity rhythm of the laboratory rat housed under different systems. Animal Technology 45, 181-187.

The antinociceptive effect of non-noxious sensory stimulation is mediated partly through oxytocinergic mechanisms

The release of opiate peptides is stimulated by oxytocin neurotransmission. Oxytocin treament has an anti-stress and analgetic effect.

Year Published: 1993Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Uvnas-Moberg, K., Bruzelius, G., Alster, P. et al. 1993. The antinociceptive effect of non-noxious sensory stimulation is mediated partly through oxytocinergic mechanisms. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica 149, 199-204.

Effect of cage height and environmental enrichment on rat’s behaviour

Rats housed in the high cages [20 cm] showed more interest in the [gnawing] sticks than rats housed in the low cages [15 cm]. Rats in the high cages had more contact with the paper. .. Unlike the observation of...

Year Published: 1994Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hirsjarvi, P. A. 1994. Effect of cage height and environmental enrichment on rat's behaviour. In: Proceedings of the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations [FELASA] Symposium. Bunyan, J. (ed), 343-344. Royal Society of Medicine Press, London, UK.

Individual housing modulates daily rhythms of hypothalamic catecholaminergic system and circulating hormones in adult male rats

Male rats housed individually had higher levels of corticosterone and prolactin than did those housed six per cage.

Year Published: 1994Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cambardella, P., Greco, A. M., Sticchi, R. et al. 1994. Individual housing modulates daily rhythms of hypothalamic catecholaminergic system and circulating hormones in adult male rats. Chronobiology International 11, 213-221.