Rodent

More than numbers matter: The effect of social factors on behaviour and welfare of laboratory rodents and non-human primates

In the present paper, we are eviewing existing literature on how social factors influence laboratory rodents and non-human primates. Studies of deprivation, of preference and of demand indicate that both rodents and primates are highly motivated to interact with conspecifics....

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Rodent

Citation: Olsson, I. A. S., Westlund, K. 2006. More than numbers matter: The effect of social factors on behaviour and welfare of laboratory rodents and non-human primates. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 103(3-4), 229-254.

The communicative functions of touch in humans, nonhuman primates, and rats: a review and synthesis of the empirical research

In social situations, nonhuman primates use touch to modulate stress. Specifically, grooming relieves the stress associated with aggression, social relationships, mounting, sexual mounts, and embraces, which then, in turn, promotes the formation and maintenance of relationships. Touch, then promotes physical...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hertenstein, M. J., Verkamp, J. M., Kerestes, A. M. et al. 2006. The communicative functions of touch in humans, nonhuman primates, and rats: a review and synthesis of the empirical research. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs 132(1), 5-94.

Do mice benefit from prefabricated dwellings? A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum

I conclude from our discussion that commercial prefabricated dwellings for mice are useful only if they are made of GLP-accepted material that the animals can readily gnaw and convert into nesting and bedding material. Since mice have a biologically inherent...

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

Citation: Barley, J., Francis, R., Van Loo, P. et al. 2006. Do mice benefit from prefabricated dwellings? A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 5(1), 13-15.

Effect of noise on the morphology of the inestinal mucosa in laboratory rats

To determine whether noise-induced stress disrupts the intestinal mucosa of laboratory rats, one group of 8 rats ("noise" rats) was subjected to 15 min of white noise (90 dB) daily for 3 wk. Another group ("quiet" rats) was housed for...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Baldwin, A. L., Primeau, R. L., Johnson, W. E. 2006. Effect of noise on the morphology of the inestinal mucosa in laboratory rats. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science] 45(1), 74-82.

Laboratory environments and rodents’ behavioural needs: a review

Laboratory housing conditions have significant physiological and psychological effects on rodents, raising both scientific and humane concerns. Published studies of rats, mice and other rodents were reviewed to document behavioural and psychological problems attributable to predominant laboratory housing conditions. Studies...

Year Published: 2006Animal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Balcombe, J. P. 2006. Laboratory environments and rodents' behavioural needs: a review. Laboratory Animals 40, 217-235.

Studies in cage changing frequency for mice housed in IVCs

Results indicate that the mice did not appear to be adversely affected by extending the cage-changing interval, regardless of bedding type or depth.

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Browne, P. 2007. Studies in cage changing frequency for mice housed in IVCs. Institute of Animal Technology [IAT] Congress, 32.

Influence of housing on the consequences of chronic mild stress in female rats

The chronic mild stress (CMS) paradigm was developed to model anhedonia in animals. The repeated administration of a series of unpredictable, mild stressors attempts to mimic the daily stress associated with the onset of clinical depression in humans. Male animals...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Baker S, Bielajew C. 2007. Influence of housing on the consequences of chronic mild stress in female rats. Stress. 10;283-93.

Social stress, immune functions and disease in rodents

The link between social factors, stress and health has been the focus of many interdisciplinary studies mostly because: (i) animals, including humans, often live in societies; (ii) positive and negative social relationships affect disease and well being; (iii) physiological alterations,...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Bartolomucci A. 2007. Social stress, immune functions and disease in rodents. Frontiers Neuroendocrin. 28;28-49.

Effects of housing condition on experimental outcome in a reproduction toxicity study

In most toxicity studies single housing is still preferred, as social stress is believed to have an effect on experimental outcome through interaction with the toxic compound or by increasing variation. There are also arguments that single housing will have...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Verwer CM, Bos RVD, Hendriksen CFM, et al. 2007. Effects of housing condition on experimental outcome in a reproduction toxicity study. Reg Tox and Pharmacol. 48;184-193.

Housing condition alters immunological and reproductive responses to day length in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)

During winter, increased thermoregulatory demands coincide with limited food availability necessitating physiological tradeoffs among expensive physiological processes resulting in seasonal breeding among small mammals. In the laboratory, short winter-like day lengths induce regression of the reproductive tract, but also enhance...

Year Published: 2007Animal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Weil ZM, Workman JL, Nelson RJ. 2007. Housing condition alters immunological and reproductive responses to day length in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Hormones and Behav. 52;261-266.