Rodent

Antistress pattern induced by oxytocin

The antistress effects caused by oxytocin may have health-promoting effects.

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Uvnas-Moberg, K. 1998. Antistress pattern induced by oxytocin. News in Physiological Science 13, 22-26.

Oxytocin may mediate the benefits of positive social interaction and emotions

During breastfeeding or suckling, maternal oxytocin levels are raised by somatosensory stimulation. Oxytocin may, however, also be released by nonnoxious stimuli such as touch, warm temperature etc. in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid. Consequently, oxytocin may be involved in physiological...

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Uvnas-Moberg, K. 1998. Oxytocin may mediate the benefits of positive social interaction and emotions. Psychoneuroendocrinology 23(8), 819-835.

The laboratory gerbil

Some recommendations for the housing and handling of gerbils.

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Gerbil, Rodent

Citation: Brain, P. F. 1999. The laboratory gerbil. In: The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory Animals Seventh Edition. UFAW [Universities Federation for Animal Welfare] (edited by Poole, T. and English, P. ), 345-355. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK.

The Laboratory Mouse

Mouse-adequate housing is discussed.

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Baumans, V. 1999. The Laboratory Mouse. In: The UFAW Handbook on the Care and Management of Laboratory Animals Seventh Edition. Poole, T. , English, P. (eds), 282-312. Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK.

Use of cornhusk nesting material to reduce aggression in caged mice

The provision of cornhusk reduced aggressive interactions by offering subordinate animals cover and escape routes.

Year Published: 1998Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Armstrong, K. R., Clark, T. R., Peterson, M. R. 1998. Use of cornhusk nesting material to reduce aggression in caged mice. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 37(4), 64-66.

Enrichment in group-housed laboratory golden hamsters

Enriched hamsters [four same-sexed animals per group] showed varied behavior and less aggression toward their cagemates. The hamsters preferred jars to pipes probably because the jars' greater height, as compared to pipes, made it easy to look outside the cage.

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

Citation: Arnold, C. E., Westbrook, R. D. 1997/1998. Enrichment in group-housed laboratory golden hamsters. Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) Newsletter 8(3/4), 22-24.

Preliminary behaviour data for single and pair housed rats

Singly housed rats spent most of the time in the back of the cage, while pairs spent most time by the food hoppers. This may have been exacerbated by the presence of humans, as pair housed rats were more confident...

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Heath, M. 1999. Preliminary behaviour data for single and pair housed rats. Animal Technology 50, 47-48.

Report of the 1999 RSPCA/UFAW rodent welfare group meeting

The following contributions are included in this database: - Practical rodent enrichment (Leach, Ambrose, Morton), - Environmental enrichment in a neurosurgical environment: the importance of licensee and technician communication ( Higgins, Eagle), - Improvements in transgenic animal husbandry and welfare:...

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Hawkins, P., Reid, R., Nevison, C. et al. 1999. Report of the 1999 RSPCA/UFAW rodent welfare group meeting. Animal Technology 50, 173-186.

Working together to improve rodent well-being

Highlights of the RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group reports. Barn-dried, first-cut hay is pliable enough for the transgenic mice to construct ball-shaped nests, connected chambers, and runs (paper materials are not suitable). .... When supplied with hay, gerbils become very active...

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Gerbil, Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hawkins, P. 1999. Working together to improve rodent well-being. Lab Animal 28(2), 30-32.

Report of the 1998 RSPCA/UFAW rodent welfare group meeting

The following contributions are included in this database:- Diet restriction through hopper design (Wrightson & Dickson), - Preliminary behaviour data for single and pair housed rats (Heath), - Rat cage modification: Improving welfare (Dickson & Wrightson).

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hawkins, P., Heath, M., Dickson, C. et al. 1999. Report of the 1998 RSPCA/UFAW rodent welfare group meeting. Animal Technology 50, 41-46.