Rodent

Differential effects of enrichment on learning and memory function in NR2B transgenic mice

Our biochemical experiments showed that enrichment significantly increased protein levels of GluR1, NR2B, and NR2A subunits of glutamate receptors in both wild-type and NR2B Tg mice.

Year Published: 2001Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Tang, Y. P., Wang, H., Feng, R. et al. 2001. Differential effects of enrichment on learning and memory function in NR2B transgenic mice. Neuropharmacology 41, 779-790.

Wire-bottom versus solid-bottom rodent caging issues important to scientists and laboratory animal science specialists

This article reviews the results of a recent survey of 12 United States-based pharmaceutical and contract toxicology laboratories.... The 1999 survey showed that more than 80% of the rodents in surveyed toxicology facilities were housed in wire-bottom cages. Long-term budget...

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Stark, D. M. 2001. Wire-bottom versus solid-bottom rodent caging issues important to scientists and laboratory animal science specialists. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 40(6), 11-14.

Developing a rodent enrichment program

A very well designed inanimate enrichment program for rodents in a pharmaceutical facility is described.

Year Published: 2001Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rodent

Citation: Smith, M. M., Hargaden, M. 2001. Developing a rodent enrichment program. Lab Animal 30(8), 36-41.

Environmental enrichment in BALB/c mice: effects in classical tests of anxiety and exposure to a predatory odor

Our results show that EC mice were more active than SC mice in the elevated plus maze and the open field. Thus, possibly as a direct consequence of frequent changes in their breeding conditions, reactivity to a novel environment was...

Year Published: 2001Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Roy, V., Belzung, C., Delarue, C. et al. 2001. Environmental enrichment in BALB/c mice: effects in classical tests of anxiety and exposure to a predatory odor. Physiology and Behavior 74, 313-320.

Exploratory study to determine the preference of the Sprague-Dawley rat for a solid or a wire cage floor

A unique cage design was created to allow residency time, time of day, and frequency of use parameters to be measured when a rat was presented with choice of both [unspecified] solid flooring and wire flooring. ...The rats spent only...

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Rat

Citation: Sherer, D., Rigel, D. F., Iverson, W. O. 2001. Exploratory study to determine the preference of the Sprague-Dawley rat for a solid or a wire cage floor. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 73 (Abstract).

Prolactin in rats is attenuated by conspecific touch in a novel environment

Prolactin is released in response to physical and psychological stress, the latter of which involves an animal's interpretation of its environment as potentially dangerous. This interpretation might be altered by social buffering, as defined by the presence of a social...

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Wilson, J. H. 2001. Prolactin in rats is attenuated by conspecific touch in a novel environment. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience 1(2), 199-205.

Environmental enrichment: effects on spatial memory and hippocampal CREB immunoreactivity

Environmental enrichment (particularly during the earlier period) improved performance on the Morris water maze and tended to increase immunoreactivity to CREB in the hippocampus.

Year Published: 2001Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Williams, B. M., Luo, Y., Ward, C. et al. 2001. Environmental enrichment: effects on spatial memory and hippocampal CREB immunoreactivity. Physiology and Behavior 73, 649-658.

Handling the cotton rat for research

General recommendations for the housing and handling of cotton rats. Cotton rats are social creatures that can readily be housed together. .. Cotton rats need environmental stimulation to avoid boredom and fighting. They will play with just about anything left...

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Ward, L. E. 2001. Handling the cotton rat for research. Lab Animal 30(5), 45-50.

Housing and husbandry conditions affect stereotypic behaviour in laboratory gerbils

An artificial borrow system for caged gerbils is described. Access to the system reduced stereotypic digging. Our experiments have shown that ... flexible timing of separation of adults from juveniles can successfully reduce or even prevent specific stereotypic behaviours.

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Gerbil, Rodent

Citation: Waiblinger, E., Koenig, B. 2001. Housing and husbandry conditions affect stereotypic behaviour in laboratory gerbils. 3R-Info-Bulletin 16 (January), 1-2.

Ideal homes? Housing effects on rodent brain and behaviour

Pups who have been handled show reduced behavioural and endocrine responses to stress.

Year Published: 2001Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Worbel, H. 2001. Ideal homes? Housing effects on rodent brain and behaviour. Trends in Neuroscience 24, 207-211.