Rodent

Environmental modification and agonistic behavior in NIH/S male mice: Nesting material enhances fighting but shelters prevent it

The aim of the study was to investigate effects of widely recommended nesting material and additional shelters on male mice. The aggressiveness of the mice in their home cages clearly increased in the nest group,as assessed by the number of...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kaliste, E. K., Mering, S. M., Satu, M. et al. 2006. Environmental modification and agonistic behavior in NIH/S male mice: Nesting material enhances fighting but shelters prevent it. Comparative Medicine 56(3), 202-208.

Report of the 2005 RSPCA/UFAW rodents welfare group report

A key aim of the group is to encourage people to think about the whole lifetime experience of laboratory rodents, ensuring that every potential impact on their well-being has been reviewed and refined.

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Hawkins, P., Felton, L. M., van Loo, P. et al. 2006. Report of the 2005 RSPCA/UFAW rodents welfare group report. Lab Animal 35(9), 29-38.

A new concept for provision of water to mice

Problems associated with watering systems are discussed and a solution proposed.

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Haida, D. 2006. A new concept for provision of water to mice. Animal Technology and Welfare 5, 41-43.

Spontaneous stereotypy and environmental enrichment in deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus): Reversibility of experience

Spontaneous and persistent stereotypies exhibited by deer mice appear to be prevented by post-weaning rearing in a larger, more complex environment. We sought to determine: (1) if exposure to an enriched environment later in development would still be efficacious in...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Hadley, C., Hadley, B., Ephraima, S. et al. 2006. Spontaneous stereotypy and environmental enrichment in deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus): Reversibility of experience. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 97, 312-322.

Behaviour of laboratory mice in different housing conditions when allowed to self-administer an anxiolytic

Standard cages prevent mice from performing several natural behaviours for which they are motivated. As a consequence, abnormal behaviours sometimes develop and mice often spend long periods inactive. To improve welfare, cages are sometimes furnished with items such as nesting...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Olsson, I. A. S., Sherwin, C. M. 2006. Behaviour of laboratory mice in different housing conditions when allowed to self-administer an anxiolytic . Laboratory Animals 40(4), 392-399.

Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 21: Guidelines for the Housing of Guinea Pigs in Scientific Institutions

Valuable recommendations for the species-adequate housing and species-approriate care of guinea pigs; topics include Housing (enclosure size, substrate, shelter, nesting material), Environmental Enrichment, and Husbandry (light, temperature, humidity, cleaning).

Year Published: 2006Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Animal Research Review Panel. 2006. Animal Research Review Panel Guideline 21: Guidelines for the Housing of Guinea Pigs in Scientific Institutions. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange, NSW, 55 pp.

Effects of humidity and environmental enrichment on food-chewing behavior in mice

Neither of the enrichment tools (Gumabones or a cellulose/corncob mixture) improved food-chewing behavior. As the humidity decreased over the 3-wk period, so did the abnormal behavior, regardless of the enrichment status of the cage.

Year Published: 2006Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Nelson, C., Dysko, R. 2006. Effects of humidity and environmental enrichment on food-chewing behavior in mice. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 154 (Abstract).

Effect of restraint and injection methods on heart rate and body temperature in mice

It was found that heart rate (HR), and to a lesser extent also body temperature (BT), parallels plasma corticosterone (pCORT) values after subjecting the animals to different methods of restraint. Secondly, the acute stress response caused by different injection methods...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Drug/Substance Administration, RestraintAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Meijer, M. K., Spruijt, B. M., van Zutphen, L. F. M. et al. 2006. Effect of restraint and injection methods on heart rate and body temperature in mice. Laboratory Animals 40(4), 82-391.

The effect of routine experimental procedures on physiological paramters in mice kept under different husbandry conditions

Single-housing in a non-enriched environment significantly elevated heart rate and blood pressure and recovery time following routine experimental procedures relative to social-housing in an enriched environment.

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Meijer, M. K., Kramer, K., Remie, R. et al. 2006. The effect of routine experimental procedures on physiological paramters in mice kept under different husbandry conditions. Animal Welfare 15, 31-38.

Effects of cage-cleaning frequency and bedding type on laboratory rat health and welfare

They were cleaned either twice-weekly, weekly, or every 2 wk and kept on either aspen woodchips or an absorbent paper bedding. Behavioral welfare indicators, injuries and general health, weight gain, chromodacryorrhoea, willingness to be handled and post-mortem lung pathology were...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Mason, G. J., Burn, C. C. 2006. Effects of cage-cleaning frequency and bedding type on laboratory rat health and welfare. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 122 (Abstract).