Rodent

Cynomys housing and enrichment units

Housing arrangement for prairie dogs is described.

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Langham, G., Kelly, K., Walls, C. et al. 2008. Cynomys housing and enrichment units. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 91 (Abstract).

Thigmotactic responses in an open-field

The goal of the present study was to investigate the role of thigmotaxis (the tendency to remain close to vertical surfaces) in rat exploratory behavior in an open-field. Thigmotaxis was investigated in a parametric way, using 24 experimentally adult naive...

Year Published: 2008Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Lamprea, M. R., Cardenas, F. P., Setem, J. et al. 2008. Thigmotactic responses in an open-field. Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 41, 135-140.

Submandibular and sublingual blood sampling methods in rodents

We believe that submandibular blood sampling with a lancet and sublingual blood sampling are good alternatives to periorbital blood sampling.

Year Published: 2008Animal Type: Rodent

Citation: Kiersgaaard, M. K., Mikkelsen, L. F., Nordahl Hansen, H. et al. 2008. Submandibular and sublingual blood sampling methods in rodents. Animal Technology and Welfare 7(3), 123-124.

Effects of a running wheel-igloo enrichment on aggression, hierarchy linearity, and stereotypy in group-housed male CD-1 (ICR) mice

Environmental enrichment is an important strategy to improve the welfare of laboratory animals. Running wheels might serve as enrichment devices for laboratory mice, since mice use them extensively when they are provided. However, competition among group-housed mice for such highly...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Howerton, C. L., Garner, J. P., Mench, J. A. 2008. Effects of a running wheel-igloo enrichment on aggression, hierarchy linearity, and stereotypy in group-housed male CD-1 (ICR) mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 115, 90-103.

Home Improvement: C57BL/6J Mice Given More Naturalistic Nesting Materials Build Better Nests

Environmental enrichment of laboratory mice can improve the quality of research, but debate arises over the means of enrichment and its ability to be used in a sterile environment. One important form of enrichment is nesting material. Mice in the...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Hess, S. E., Rohr, S., Dufour, B. D. et al. 2008. Home Improvement: C57BL/6J Mice Given More Naturalistic Nesting Materials Build Better Nests . Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science] 47(6), 25-32.

Golden hamsters are nocturnal in captivity but diurnal in nature

Daily activity rhythms are nearly universal among animals and their specific pattern is an adaptation of each species to its ecological niche. Owing to the extremely consistent nocturnal patterns of activity shown by golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) in the laboratory,...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Gattermann, R., Johnston, J., Mcphee, M. E. et al. 2008. Golden hamsters are nocturnal in captivity but diurnal in nature. Biology Letters 4(3), 253-255.

Operant task performance and corticosterone concentrations in rats housed directly on bedding and on wire

Contrary to assumptions, housing did not affect task performance. Baseline corticosterone concentrations were similar for the 2 experimental groups, but corticosterone concentrations were significantly higher for the wire-bottom group than the solid-bottom group immediately after the restraint and remained elevated...

Year Published: 2008Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Freed, C., Martinez, V., Sarter, M. et al. 2008. Operant task performance and corticosterone concentrations in rats housed directly on bedding and on wire . Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science] 47(5), 18-22.

Handling during routine care affects responses of laboratory rats toward humans

Year Published: 2008Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Pankseep, J., Newberry, R. C. 2008. Handling during routine care affects responses of laboratory rats toward humans. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 64-65 (Abstract).

Report of the 2006 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group meeting

The RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group holds a one-day meeting every autumn to discuss current welfare research and to exchange views on rodent welfare issues. A key aim of the group is to encourage people to think about the lifetime experience...

Year Published: 2008Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Euthanasia, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Reed, B., Hawkins, P., Latham, N. et al. 2008. Report of the 2006 RSPCA/UFAW Rodent Welfare Group meeting. Lab Animal 37(5), 216-222.

Comparison of Technicians’ Ability to Detect Clinical Signs in Rats Housed in Wire-bottom versus Solid-bottom Cages with Bedding

Rodent toxicology studies have historically been performed in wire-bottom cages, but the 1996 Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals recommends solid-bottom caging with bedding. Some investigators have expressed concern that changing to solid-bottom cages would interfere with...

Year Published: 2008Animal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Van Vleet, T. R., Rhodes, J. W., Waites, C. R. et al. 2008. Comparison of Technicians' Ability to Detect Clinical Signs in Rats Housed in Wire-bottom versus Solid-bottom Cages with Bedding. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science] 47(2).