Rodent

The effects of environmental enrichment on cage-cleaning aggression in male laboratory mice

Inanimate enrichment may decrease the incidence of aggressive interactions between males after cage cleaning.

Year Published: 1997Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ambrose, N., Morton, D. B. 1997. The effects of environmental enrichment on cage-cleaning aggression in male laboratory mice. B & K Science Now 6, 13.

Effects of experience and environment on the developing and mature brain: Implications of laboratory animal housing

Immune system function appears to be enhanced in environmentally enriched rats relative to controls housed in standard cages.

Year Published: 1998Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Benefiel, A. C., Greenough, W. T. 1998. Effects of experience and environment on the developing and mature brain: Implications of laboratory animal housing. ILAR Journal 39(1), 5-11.

Floor space needs for laboratory mice: C57BL/6 males in solid-bottom cages with bedding

Different floor space allocations of cages that were barren except bedding were tested in groups of 3 male mice. Space reduction - from 129 to 32 square cm per mouse - had no impact on body weight gain; but with...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Housing, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Fullwood, S., Hicks, T. A., Brown, J. C. et al. 1998. Floor space needs for laboratory mice: C57BL/6 males in solid-bottom cages with bedding. ILAR Journal 39(1), 29-36.

Effects of cage type and gnawing blocks on weight gain, organ weights and open-field behaviour inWistar rats

Two separate experiments were conducted to study the environmental enrichment value of aspen gnawing blocks in solid bottom cages with bedding '(SBC) and in grid floor cages without bedding (GFC), and the effects of housing environments on the physiology and...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Eskola, S., Kaliste-Korhonen, E. 1998. Effects of cage type and gnawing blocks on weight gain, organ weights and open-field behaviour inWistar rats. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science 25(4), 180-193.

Refining rodent husbandry: The mouse – Report of the Rodent Refinement Working Party

This report describes ways in which existing husbandry and care of mice can be improved with emphasis on providing environments that allow the animals to express a wide range of behaviours. Valuable recommendations are made on the following topics: Caging...

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Jennings, M., Batchelor, G. R., Brain, P. F. et al. 1998. Refining rodent husbandry: The mouse - Report of the Rodent Refinement Working Party . Laboratory Animals 32, 233-259.

Housing and welfare in laboratory rats: The welfare implications of social isolation and social contact among females

Social deprivation seems to have a less adverse impact on females than on males. In particular, singletons showed a less marked increase in self-directed behaviours, particularly tail chasing, and a smaller reduction in undirected movement around the cage. This smaller...

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hurst, J. L., Barnard, C. J., Nevison, C. M. et al. 1998. Housing and welfare in laboratory rats: The welfare implications of social isolation and social contact among females. Animal Welfare 7, 121-136.

Choice tests with groups of mice: nest box, nesting material and tubes as enrichment items for laboratory mice

Mice show a preference for a more complex housing environment offering shelter. In accordance with results from preference tests with individually housed mice, present results support the view that nesting material, shelter, social contact and adequate space are important environmental...

Year Published: 1998Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Heinzmann, V., Jonas, I., Hirschenauer, K. et al. 1998. Choice tests with groups of mice: nest box, nesting material and tubes as enrichment items for laboratory mice. Journal of Experimental Animal Science 39, 43-60.

Social deprivation of neonatal, adolescent and adult rats has distinct neurochemical and behavioural consequences

This review examines the consequences of social deprivation on brain chemistry and behavior on rats. Although social deprivation produces wide-ranging behavioral and neurochemical effects, it appears that these effects are determined by a number of factors, the most critical factor...

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hall, F. S. 1998. Social deprivation of neonatal, adolescent and adult rats has distinct neurochemical and behavioural consequences. Critical Reviews in Neurobiology 12, 129-162.

Voluntary wheel-running: a review and novel interpretation

Mice prefer wheels that have been made into irregular shapes, or include hurdles to jump over! This review proposes that wheel running may be an artefact of captive environments or of the running-wheel itself, possibly resulting from feedback dysfunction.

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sherwin, C. M. 1998. Voluntary wheel-running: a review and novel interpretation. Animal Behaviour 56, 11-27.

The use and perceived importance of three resources which provide caged laboratory mice the opportunity for extended locomotion

Singly-housed mice showed a distinctive and persistent preference for a running- wheel, as opposed to a tunnel system. Wheel-running is perceived by caged animals to be a highly important activity. Running wheels should be provided for caged mice ... if...

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sherwin, C. M. 1998. The use and perceived importance of three resources which provide caged laboratory mice the opportunity for extended locomotion. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 55, 353-367.