Rodent

The motivation of group-housed laboratory mice, Mus musculus, for additional space

The limited amount of space that we provide for research animals can adversely influence the validity of behavioural data and animal welfare. .. I trained a single mouse from each of six groups to perform an operant task to gain...

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sherwin, C. M. 2004. The motivation of group-housed laboratory mice, Mus musculus, for additional space. Animal Behaviour 67, 711-717.

The influence of standard laboratory cages on rodents and the validity of research data

But, if the validy of the data is reduced as a result of standard housing and husbandry, then it could be argued that the animals might have experienced suffering for limited gain.

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Sherwin, C. M. 2004. The influence of standard laboratory cages on rodents and the validity of research data. Animal Welfare 13(S), 9-15.

Double dissociation of social and environmental stimulation on spatiallearning and reversal learning in rats

These findings strengthen the view that social and inanimate stimulation act, at least in part, upon dissociable neural substrates.

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Schrijver, N. C., Pallier, P. N., Brown, V. J. et al. 2004. Double dissociation of social and environmental stimulation on spatiallearning and reversal learning in rats. Behavioral Brain Research 152, 307-314.

The welfare of laboratory guinea pigs

Recommendations on species-adequate housing and husbandry of guinea pigs with special emphasis on social housing.

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Sachser, N., Kunzl, C., Kaiser, S. 2004. The welfare of laboratory guinea pigs. In: The Welfare of Laboratory Animals. Kaliste, E. (ed), 181-209. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

Enriched environment and acceleration of visual system development

Here, we examined Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels in the visual cortex during development and showed that an increase occurs in the first week of life in enriched pups compared to standard reared pups. .. We found better learning...

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sale, A., Putignano, E., Cancedda, L. et al. 2004. Enriched environment and acceleration of visual system development. Neuropharmacology 47, 649-660.

Consequences of enhancing environmental complexity for laboratory rodents – a review with emphasis on the rat

Where the behavioural benefits of environmental enrichment justify the use of more animals [increased variabilty], better welfare should be more highly valued than a reduction in the number of animals used.

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Sorensen, D. B., Ottesen, J. L., Hansen, A. K. 2004. Consequences of enhancing environmental complexity for laboratory rodents - a review with emphasis on the rat. Animal Welfare 13, 193-204.

Rat preferences for commercially available simulated burrows

Rats preferred to spend their time during the light phase in Rodent Retreats compared to Rat Shacks or on open bedding.

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Saad, M., Sharp, J., Azar, T. et al. 2004. Rat preferences for commercially available simulated burrows . American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 137 (Abstract).

A better mouse cage

A closed-system caging with exhaust ventilation and environmental enrichment structures were studied. We conclude that this type of cages does refine mouse caging and might help reduce the number of mice used in biomedical research and testing.

Year Published: 2004Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Rivard, G. F., Pyle, K. C. 2004. A better mouse cage. Proceedings of the 4th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences - Alternatives to Laboratory Animals [ATLA] 32(Supplement), 98 (Abstract).

Environmental enrichment enhances auditory takeover of the occipital cortex in anophthalmic mice

Enrichment of the environment is an effective means of enhancing neuronal development and plasticity but its effect on the cross-modal compensation resulting from sensory deprivation has never been investigated. The present study used c-Fos immunohistochemistry and dextran-biotin neuronal tracing to...

Year Published: 2004Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Piche, M., Robert, S., Miceli, D. et al. 2004. Environmental enrichment enhances auditory takeover of the occipital cortex in anophthalmic mice. European Journal of Neuroscience 20, 3463-3472.

Music improves dopaminergic neurotransmission: demonstration based on the effect of music on blood pressure regulation

The mechanism by which music modifies brain function is not clear. Clinical findings indicate that music reduces blood pressure in various patients. We investigated the effect of music on blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Previous studies indicated that...

Year Published: 2004Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Sutoo, D., Akiyama, K. 2004. Music improves dopaminergic neurotransmission: demonstration based on the effect of music on blood pressure regulation. Brain Research 1016, 255-262.