Rat

The communicative functions of touch in humans, nonhuman primates, and rats: a review and synthesis of the empirical research

In social situations, nonhuman primates use touch to modulate stress. Specifically, grooming relieves the stress associated with aggression, social relationships, mounting, sexual mounts, and embraces, which then, in turn, promotes the formation and maintenance of relationships. Touch, then promotes physical...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hertenstein, M. J., Verkamp, J. M., Kerestes, A. M. et al. 2006. The communicative functions of touch in humans, nonhuman primates, and rats: a review and synthesis of the empirical research. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs 132(1), 5-94.

Influence of housing on the consequences of chronic mild stress in female rats

The chronic mild stress (CMS) paradigm was developed to model anhedonia in animals. The repeated administration of a series of unpredictable, mild stressors attempts to mimic the daily stress associated with the onset of clinical depression in humans. Male animals...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Baker S, Bielajew C. 2007. Influence of housing on the consequences of chronic mild stress in female rats. Stress. 10;283-93.

Effects of housing condition on experimental outcome in a reproduction toxicity study

In most toxicity studies single housing is still preferred, as social stress is believed to have an effect on experimental outcome through interaction with the toxic compound or by increasing variation. There are also arguments that single housing will have...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Verwer CM, Bos RVD, Hendriksen CFM, et al. 2007. Effects of housing condition on experimental outcome in a reproduction toxicity study. Reg Tox and Pharmacol. 48;184-193.

Effect of noise on the morphology of the inestinal mucosa in laboratory rats

To determine whether noise-induced stress disrupts the intestinal mucosa of laboratory rats, one group of 8 rats ("noise" rats) was subjected to 15 min of white noise (90 dB) daily for 3 wk. Another group ("quiet" rats) was housed for...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Baldwin, A. L., Primeau, R. L., Johnson, W. E. 2006. Effect of noise on the morphology of the inestinal mucosa in laboratory rats. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science] 45(1), 74-82.

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.

Enriching rat living conditions

Rats housed in partially covered cages show less anxiety-related behavior than rats housed in clear or opaque cages.

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Newberry, R. C. 2007. Enriching rat living conditions. Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) Quarterly 56(4), 18-19.

Human activity and visual contact with the surrounding environment affect the stress response and behvior of laboratory rats

Providing rats with partial visual cover and controlling for levels of human exposure within rodent rooms could improve rat welfare and external validity of behavioral tests used in biomedical research.

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Newberry, R. C. 2007. Human activity and visual contact with the surrounding environment affect the stress response and behvior of laboratory rats. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 24-25 (Abstract).

Acclimatization of rats after ground transportation to a new animal facility

This study aimed to assess the time needed by rats, which had not been previously transported, to acclimatize to a new environment after 5 h of van transport, using physiological parameters as measures of acclimatization. Animal shipping boxes and transport...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Capdevila, S., Giral, M., Ruiz de la Torre, J. L. et al. 2007. Acclimatization of rats after ground transportation to a new animal facility. Laboratory Animals 4(2), 255-261.

Use of environmentally enriched housing for rats with spinal cord injury: the need for standardization

In the present study, environmental enrichment did not improve the locomotion of rats with contusion thoracic SCI. Determining the effectiveness of environmental enrichment to improve locomotor recovery in the SCI model requires standardization of housing procedures, outcome measures, and analyses.

Year Published: 2007Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Burke, D. A., Magnuson, D. S. K., Nunn, C. D. et al. 2007. Use of environmentally enriched housing for rats with spinal cord injury: the need for standardization. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 46(2).

Ultrasonic vocalizations as indicators of welfare for laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Adult laboratory rats produce two distinct types of ultrasonic vocalization (USV) that appear to reflect the caller's emotional state, either positive (50 kHz) or negative (22 kHz). If these calls can influence the emotional state and related behaviour of group-mates,...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Burman, O. H. P., Ilyat, A., Jones, G. et al. 2007. Ultrasonic vocalizations as indicators of welfare for laboratory rats (Rattus norvegicus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 104(1-2), 116-129.