Rodent

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.

The development of a novel form of mouse cage enrichment

We incorporated a number of existing enrichments into a one-piece insert which covers the entire cage base and comprises two raised platforms and an in-build shelter. This design of combining a shelter and [high and low] platforms into one insert...

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

Citation: Leach, M. C., Ambrose, N., Bowell, V. J. et al. 2000. The development of a novel form of mouse cage enrichment. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 3, 81-91.

The effects of enrichment on parameters in hypertensive rats

The study showed that male SHR rats who were each housed with another rat were more active and had a higher systolic pressure than did similar animals housed alone. Diastolic blood pressure or heart rate did not differ. .. Separation...

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

Citation: Lawson, D. M., Churchill, P. C., Churchill, P. C. 2000. The effects of enrichment on parameters in hypertensive rats . Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 39(1), 9-13.

Long-term environmental enrichment leads to regional increase in neurotrophin levels in rat brain

These findings demonstrate significant alterations in NGF, and NT-3 protein levels in several brain regions as a result of an enriched versus an isolated environment and thus provide a possible biochemical basis for behavioral and alterations that have been found...

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

Citation: Ickes, B. R., Pham, T. M., Sanders, L. A. et al. 2000. Long-term environmental enrichment leads to regional increase in neurotrophin levels in rat brain. Experimental Neurology 164, 45-52.

Housing for Laboratory Rats, Mice, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits

General recommendations for the species-adequate housing of rats, mice, guinea pigs and rabbits

Year Published: 2000Animal Type: Guinea Pig, Mouse, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hargreaves, A. L. 2000. Housing for Laboratory Rats, Mice, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits. Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Testing, Wellington, New Zealand.

Use of PVC conduits by rats of various strains and ages housed singly and in pairs

Adult male Long-Evans rats rarely entered PVC conduits unless housed in pairs. ... Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats entered PVC conduits only during the illuminated portion of the day-night cycle and only if housed on shelves exposed to direct overhead illumination....

Year Published: 2000Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Galef, Jr. B. G., Sorge, R. E. 2000. Use of PVC conduits by rats of various strains and ages housed singly and in pairs. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 3, 279-292.