Rodent

Reporting the implementation of the three Rs in European primate and mouse research papers: Are we making progress? Alternatives to Laboratory Animals 38(6), 495-517

It is now more than 20 years since both Council of Europe Convention ETS123 and EU Directive 86/609/EEC were introduced, to promote the implementation of the Three Rs in animal experimentation and to provide guidance on animal housing and care....

Year Published: 2010Topics: Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Taylor K. 2010. Reporting the implementation of the three Rs in European primate and mouse research papers: Are we making progress? Alternatives to Laboratory Animals 38(6), 495-517.

Frustration and perseveration in stereotypic captive animals: Is a taste of enrichment worse than none at all?

Stereotypic behaviours are common in animals in impoverished housing, arising from two complementary processes: (1) thwarted attempts to perform motivated behaviours; (2) forebrain dysfunction impeding normal behavioural inhibition. When enriched animals are moved to impoverished housing, they are sometimes protected...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Latham, N., Mason, G. 2010. Frustration and perseveration in stereotypic captive animals: Is a taste of enrichment worse than none at all? Behavioural Brain Research 211(1), 96-104.

Transgenerational rescue of a genetic defect in long-term potentiation and memory formation by juvenile enrichment

The idea that qualities acquired from experience can be transmitted to future offspring has long been considered incompatible with current understanding of genetics. However, the recent documentation of non-Mendelian transgenerational inheritance makes such a Lamarckian -like phenomenon more plausible. Here,...

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Arai, J. A., Li, S., Hartley, D. M. et al. 2009. Transgenerational rescue of a genetic defect in long-term potentiation and memory formation by juvenile enrichment. Journal of Neuroscience 29, 1496-1502.

Playful handling mitigates the stressfulness of injections in laboratory rats

Rats can be playfully handled (tickled) in a manner that mimics playful social contact with conspecifics. We hypothesized that the timing of tickling in relation to an intraperitoneal injection would affect the efficacy of tickling in reducing stress associated with...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Drug/Substance Administration, HandlingAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Wahl, K., Newberry, R. C. 2010. Playful handling mitigates the stressfulness of injections in laboratory rats. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 721 (Abstract #P126).

Mouse welfare terms

Year Published: 2010Animal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gardiner, M. 2010. Mouse welfare terms. Animal Technology and Welfare 9, 175-176.

Benefits of providing nesting material as a from of environmental enrichment for mice

Husbandry conditions in a laboratory environment can be barren and monotonous. Improving those conditions by providing opportunities for laboratory mice to engage in species-specific behavior can improve their mental and physical well-being. Giving the animals choices and control over their...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Froberg-Fejko, K. M. 2010. Benefits of providing nesting material as a from of environmental enrichment for mice. Lab Animal 39(10), 326-327.

Housing, care and accommodation: An inspector’s observation on how these can affect rodent welfare

In my view it is vitally important that scientists and management pay attention to what animal technologists and care staff have to say about the care and requirements of experimental animals.

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Farmer, A. M. 2010. Housing, care and accommodation: An inspector's observation on how these can affect rodent welfare. Animal Technology and Welfare 9, 94-96.

Covance animal environmental enrichment programme: In-house enrichment items, their benefits and the process of implementation

Some enrichment objects for rats, rabbits, dogs and macaques are demonstrated.

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog, Macaque, Nonhuman Primate, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Emmott, M. 2010. Covance animal environmental enrichment programme: In-house enrichment items, their benefits and the process of implementation. Animal Technology and Welfare 9, 189-190.

Solid floors versus wire floor housing for rats revisited: Influence of age and the presence of test boxes

Data did not reveal a clear preference for solid floors. Juveniles were found most often on wire floors while among adults, a preference for solid floors was apparent only in females, and only when a nest box was available.

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: De Villiers, C., Seal, J. V. 2010. Solid floors versus wire floor housing for rats revisited: Influence of age and the presence of test boxes. Animal Technology and Welfare 9, 31-36.

Into the comfort zone – environmental enrichment for rodent metabolism cages

Several glass shelters for mice are described and demonstrated.

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Collier, R. D. 2010. Into the comfort zone - environmental enrichment for rodent metabolism cages. Animal Technology and Welfare 9, 183-185.