Rodent

Environmental stimulation for rodents on toxicological studies

Gnawing sticks made from aspen wood was considered to be most appropriate because they triggered a high gnawing response and were available with certificates of analysis.

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Robertson, D. 1999. Environmental stimulation for rodents on toxicological studies. Animal Technology 50, 182-183.

Improvements in transgenic animal husbandry and welfare: Provision of exercise wheels for group housed mice

The wheels are in almost constant use. The introduction of wheels therefore led to a cessation of the stereotypic cage climbing behaviour and the gnawing of food. However, there is some controversy as to whether wheel running is in itself...

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Redrobe, S. 1999. Improvements in transgenic animal husbandry and welfare: Provision of exercise wheels for group housed mice. Animal Technology 50, 181-182.

Environmental enrichment inhibits spontaneous apoptosis, prevents seizures and is neuroprotective

Here we show that in addition to its effects on neurogenesis, an enriched environment reduces spontaneous apoptotic cell death in the rat hippocampus by 45%.

Year Published: 1999Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Young, D., Lawlor, P. A., Leone, P. et al. 1999. Environmental enrichment inhibits spontaneous apoptosis, preventsseizures and is neuroprotective. Nature Medicine 5, 448-453.

Diet restriction through hopper design

Group-housed rats were induced to 'work' for their food by soldering metal plates over their food hoppers, so that only 3% of the original area remains available. The animals fed for longer periods and rested less during the night, but...

Year Published: 1999Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Wrightson, D., Dickson, C. 1999. Diet restriction through hopper design. Animal Technology 50, 45-46.

A novel method for the supply of bedding and nesting material with inbuilt environmental enrichment for rodents

Non-toxic cellulose tea bag material containing sawdust provided valuable stimulation and encouraged the animals to tear open and dispense the sawdust and utilize the pack as nesting material. The sealed packs were extremely labor saving in storage and dispensing into...

Year Published: 1999Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rodent

Citation: Willan, P. C. 1999. A novel method for the supply of bedding and nesting material with inbuilt environmental enrichment for rodents. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 5 (Abstract).

The problem with nestlets and Athymic Nudes

A colony of Hsd:Athymic Nude-nu mice was found to have an increased prevalence of conjunctivitis. .. It was theorized, because Athymic Nude mice lack the normal fur, i.e., guard hairs, and eye lashes, the fibers from nestlets can easily become...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Bazille, P. G. 2000. The problem with nestlets and Athymic Nudes. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 123 (Abstract).

Repetitive backflipping behaviour in captive roof rats (Rattus rattus) and the effect of cage enrichment

Repetitive stereotyped behaviours are often performed by both wild and domestic rodents in small laboratory cages. In this study, a behaviour resembling a backwards somersault or backflip is described and quantified in captive roof rats (ship or black rats, Rattus...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Callard, M. D., Bursten, S. N., Price, E. O. 2000. Repetitive backflipping behaviour in captive roof rats (Rattus rattus) and the effect of cage enrichment. Animal Welfare 9, 139-152.

Environmental enrichment: a right for rodents!

Environmental enrichment is any modification in the environment of the captive animal that seeks to enhance its psychological ans physiological well-being by providing stimuli meeting the animals' species-specific needs.

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rodent

Citation: Baumans, V. 2000. Environmental enrichment: a right for rodents! In: Progress in the Reduction, Refinement and Replacement of Animal Experimentation. Balls, M., Van Zeller, E. M., Halder, M. E. (eds), 1251-1255. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Housing environment and enrichment for laboratory rats – refinement and reduction outcome

Three kinds of aspen items were used for enrichment: gnawing blocks of two different sizes [1x1x5 cm; 6x6x6 cm with drilled holes] and rectangular tubes [20x12x12 cm, large enough to fulfill the natural tendency of rats for hiding]. The enrichment...

Year Published: 2000Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Mering, S. 2000. Housing environment and enrichment for laboratory rats - refinement and reduction outcome. Natural and Environmental Sciences - Kuopio UniversityPublications C 114, 1-60.

Digging behavior of ddY mouse

In the present studies, the behavior of ddY mice digging wood chips was carefully observed. When mice were individually placed on new 5 cm-thick wood chips, their behavior was found to be the same irrespective of their age or sex....

Year Published: 2000Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Masuad, Y., Ishigooka, S., Matsuda, Y. 2000. Digging behavior of ddY mouse. Experimental Animal 49, 235-237.