Rodent

Social conflict reduction program for male mice

At our Center, two observation periods were set aside daily in order to identify, according to previously described behaviors, dominant [aggressive] mice and separate these when indicated. By reducing or eliminating the number of aggressive acts between group members in...

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Emond, M., Faubert, S., Perkins, M. 2003. Social conflict reduction program for male mice. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 42(5), 24-26.

Understanding behaviour: the relevance of ethological approaches in laboratory animal science

In this paper, we identify four areas in which ethological approaches could help improve the welfare of laboratory rodents while at the same time enhancing the validity of research based on them. These areas are: (1) the effects of selective...

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Olsson, I. A. S., Nevison, C. M., Patterson-Kane, E. G. et al. 2003. Understanding behaviour: the relevance of ethological approaches in laboratory animal science. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 81, 245-264.

Regional effects of wheel running and environmental enrichment on cell genesis and microglia proliferation in the adult murine neocortex

Voluntary wheel running, in contrast, caused an induction in the proliferation of microglia in superficial cortical layers of several brain regions.

Year Published: 2003Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ehninger, D., Kempermann, G. 2003. Regional effects of wheel running and environmental enrichment on cell genesis and microglia proliferation in the adult murine neocortex. Cerebral Cortex 13, 845-851.

Effect of group size on fecal corticosterone levels and variation in rats

Corticosterone levels were significantly higher in groups of five when compared to singly housed animals. Variations of fecal corticosterone were also higher in group-housed animals.

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Nevalainen, T., Hurst, W. J., Guhad, F. A. et al. 2003. Effect of group size on fecal corticosterone levels and variation in rats. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 94 (Abstract).

Alterations of neocortical pyramidal cell phenotype in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome: effects of environmental enrichment

Pyramidal cells in environmentally enriched control animals were significantly more branched and more spinous than non-enriched controls. However, environmental enrichment had little effect on pyramidal cell structure in Ts65Dn mice.

Year Published: 2003Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Dierssen, M., Benavides-Piccione, R., Martinez-Cue, C. et al. 2003. Alterations of neocortical pyramidal cell phenotype in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome: effects of environmental enrichment. Cerebral Cortex 13, 758-765.

Using animal preference to develop enriched caging for rats

On average rats preferred the 'vertical cage'.

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Nelson, K., Patterson-Kane, E. G., Love, J. 2003. Using animal preference to develop enriched caging for rats. Animal Technology and Welfare 2, 85-88.

Effects of different forms of environmental enrichment on behavioral, endocrinological, and immunological parameters in male mice

Animals were kept in groups of four males under three different housing conditions: (A) nonstructured Makrolon type III laboratory cages ( standard-housing = S); (B) equivalent laboratory cages that were enriched with a box and a scaffolding ( enriched-housing =...

Year Published: 2003Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Marashi, V., Barnekow, A., Ossendorf, E. et al. 2003. Effects of different forms of environmental enrichment on behavioral, endocrinological, and immunological parameters in male mice. Hormones and Behavior 43, 281-292.

Effects of housing density on C57BL/6J mice housed in three cage types

This 8-week study was initiated to investigate the impact of floor space on the health and well being of C57BL/6J (B6) mice, a strain commonly used by the scientific community. Male and female 4-week-old mice (sexes housed separately) were maintained...

Year Published: 2003Topics: Housing, Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Mabus, S., Smith, E., Basso, C. et al. 2003. Effects of housing density on C57BL/6J mice housed in three cage types. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 93 (Abstract).

The impact of cage ventilation on rats housed in IVC systems

Rats prefer cages with air changes below 80 times per hour.

Year Published: 2003Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Krohn, T. C., Kornerup-Hansen, A., Dragsted, N. 2003. The impact of cage ventilation on rats housed in IVC systems. Laboratory Animals 37, 85-93.

Telemetry as a method for measuring the impact of housing conditions on rats’ welfare

The study revealed significant differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature between rats housed in the tree conditions, indicating that both grid floors and plastic floors are more stressful for the animals than bedding. The...

Year Published: 2003Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Krohn, T. C., Hansen, A. K., Dragsted, N. 2003. Telemetry as a method for measuring the impact of housing conditions on rats' welfare. Animal Welfare 12, 53-62.