Rodent

Enriched environment prevents hypernociception and depression-like behavior in a psychiatric disorder and neuropathic pain comorbidity experimental condition

Pain is a multifactorial debilitating condition associated with some psychiatric comorbidities such as generalized anxiety and depression. Concerning pharmacological treatment, which is often inefficient or associated with intense side effects, the physical and social context may be fundamental for patient’s...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Medeiros, P., Medeiros, A. C., de Freitas, R. L. et al. 2025. Enriched environment prevents hypernociception and depression-like behavior in a psychiatric disorder and neuropathic pain comorbidity experimental condition. Physiology & Behavior 291, 114795.

Applicability of the micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) method for assessing reward-related behaviors in mice

Oral gavage is the standard method for acute or chronic per os treatments in laboratory rodents. It can, however, induce significant stress responses and compromise the welfare of animals. To mitigate these concerns, we recently introduced the micropipette-guided drug administration...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Krzyzaniak, O., Steiner, S., Nilsson, F. A. M. et al. 2025. Applicability of the micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) method for assessing reward-related behaviors in mice. Physiology & Behavior 299, 114967.

Hidden in plain sound: The scientific potential of house mouse squeaks

The house mouse (Mus musculus) is an emerging model organism for the study of vocal communication. While mice emit a diversity of calls, most publications on adult mouse vocalizations primarily focus on ultrasonic vocalizations and only a small proportion include...

Year Published: 2025Topics: VocalizationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Keesom, S. M., Leuner, L. R., Hood, K. E. et al. 2025. Hidden in plain sound: The scientific potential of house mouse squeaks. Biology Letters 21(8), 20250333.

Effects of dietary restriction on regulation of energy metabolism in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Laboratory rats are most often fed ad libitum (AL), but dietary restriction (DR) is commonly used to provide appropriate experimental designs. The current methods of DR have shortcomings; animals are often subjected to social isolation, periods of fasting, and disturbed...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Kasanen, I. H. E., Inhilä, K. J., Nevalainen, T. O. et al. 2025. Effects of dietary restriction on regulation of energy metabolism in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS 64(4), 744–749.

Diet gel-based oral drug delivery system for controlled dosing of small molecules for microglia depletion and inducible Cre recombination in mice

Small molecules such as PLX5622 for microglia depletion and tamoxifen for inducible Cre recombination are commonly used in mouse research. Traditional application methods such as drug-infused chow, oral gavage or injections have limitations, including uncontrolled dosing (chow) or risk of...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Jovanovic, J., Stone, M. L., Dooyema, S. R. et al. 2025. Diet gel-based oral drug delivery system for controlled dosing of small molecules for microglia depletion and inducible Cre recombination in mice. Lab Animal 54(10), 278–285.

Innovative cage-based technique for mouse urine collection

Accurate and humane collection of mouse urine samples is crucial for research studies and health monitoring of laboratory mouse colonies. Conventional methods may stress animals and compromise sample quality. To address these challenges, we developed a natural and animal-friendly approach...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Huang, J., Wang, Y., Gao, Y. et al. 2025. Innovative cage-based technique for mouse urine collection. Laboratory Animals 59(4), 464–470.

A new method to replace oral gavage for the study of Cryptosporidium infection in mice

Oral gavage is a widely used method to infect mice with Cryptosporidium parvum (CP), the most common animal model of infection. Cryptosporidium spp. are worldwide distributed, gastrointestinal parasites that mainly cause diarrhea in humans and neonatal ruminants. CP is transmitted...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Fumuso, F. G., Salomon, C. E., O’Connor, R. M. 2025. A new method to replace oral gavage for the study of Cryptosporidium infection in mice. Laboratory Animals 59(5), 593–598.

Evaluating cervical dislocation methods, without using tension on the tail, for humanely killing adult laboratory mice

Cervical dislocation (CD) is a widely used method worldwide for humanely killing adult laboratory mice in accordance with national legislation, such as the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in the UK. However, concerns have been raised regarding the limitations and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Davidge, A., Bulat, F., Vernet, A. 2025. Evaluating cervical dislocation methods, without using tension on the tail, for humanely killing adult laboratory mice. Laboratory Animals 59(5), 570–577.

Using machine learning and predictive artificial intelligence to determine cage change frequency for mice housed in individually ventilated cages and drive vivarium operational efficiency

A standard 2-wk cage change frequency for individually ventilated mouse cages is used in many research facilities, with negligible effects on animal health and welfare. However, these techniques rely on subjective visual evaluations and often require spot changes. In this...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Collins, J. M., Singh, B., Zwick, M. E. et al. 2025. Using machine learning and predictive artificial intelligence to determine cage change frequency for mice housed in individually ventilated cages and drive vivarium operational efficiency. JAALAS 64(4), 682–695.

Non-aversive handling in laboratory animals and its effects on depressive-like and anxiety-related behaviors: A scoping review

Stress is an adaptive response to environmental demands, but increased intensity and frequency can lead to impaired adaptive functions. Stress is considered a risk factor for Major Depressive Disorder, a multifactorial disorder that often coexists with anxiety. Picking up laboratory...

Year Published: 2025Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Castro de Jesus, L., S․ Rodrigues, A. L. 2025. Non-aversive handling in laboratory animals and its effects on depressive-like and anxiety-related behaviors: A scoping review. Physiology & Behavior 294, 114883.