Rodent

Are the effects of enrichment due to the presence of multiple items or a particular item in the cages of laboratory rat?

Although the effects of environmental enrichment on laboratory rodents have been extensively described, it is not yet known whether these effects were simply due to the presence of multiple items in the cage or due solely to the presence of...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Abou-Ismail, U. A. 2011. Are the effects of enrichment due to the presence of multiple items or a particular item in the cages of laboratory rat? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 134(1-2), 72-82.

Rats housed on corncob bedding show less slow-wave sleep

Despite the reported advantages of corncob bedding, questions have emerged about how comfortable animals find this type of bedding as a resting surface. In this study, encephalography (EEG) was used to compare the effects of corncob and aspen-chip bedding on...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Leys, L. J., McGaraughty, S., Radek, R. J. 2012. Rats housed on corncob bedding show less slow-wave sleep. JAALAS 51(6), 764-768.

Preferences of group-housed female mice regarding structure of softwood bedding

Bedding influences various parameters in the housing of laboratory mice, such as health, physiology and behaviour (often considered as being integral parts of welfare). Notwithstanding existent studies about bedding preferences of individually tested mice, data about group-housed mice are still...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Kirchner, J., Hackbarth, H., Stelzer, H. D. et al. 2012. Preferences of group-housed female mice regarding structure of softwood bedding. Laboratory Animals 46(2), 95-100.

Effects of cage density, sanitation frequency, and bedding type on animal well-being and health and cage environment in mice and rats

Ongoing studies and historical data support the finding that deviations or exceptions from the cage density and sanitation frequency standards set forth in the Guide do not negatively affect animal health, welfare, or production parameters at our institution. These parameters...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Horn, M. J., Hudson, S. V., Bostrom, L. A. et al. 2012. Effects of cage density, sanitation frequency, and bedding type on animal well-being and health and cage environment in mice and rats. JAALAS 51(6), 781-788.

Tailoring enrichment to GA mice

Philosopher and ethicist Professor Bernard Rollin recently wrote that animal researchers should “do the utmost to minimise animal suffering arising in the course of animal research, and maximise the animal's ability to live a life where the interests and needs...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Fawcett, A. 2012. Tailoring enrichment to GA mice. Enrichment Record 7, 20-24.

Handling of adolescent rats improves learning and memory and decreases anxiety

Some environmental interventions can result in physiologic and behavioral changes in laboratory animals. In this context, the handling of adolescent or adult rodents has been reported to influence exploratory behavior and emotionality. Here we examined the effects of handling on...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Costa, R., Tamascia, M. L., Nogueira, M. D. et al. 2012. Handling of adolescent rats improves learning and memory and decreases anxiety. JAALAS 51(5), 548-553.

A method for reliable voluntary oral administration of a fixed dosage (mg/kg) of chronic daily medication to rats

Stress can influence a number of physiological processes including adult neurogenesis, metabolism, cardiovascular function, immune function, neurophysiological function, endocrine function and inflammatory processes following injury. In testing drugs which may be used to treat various diseases or injuries, reducing stress...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Corbett, A., McGowin, A., Sieber, S. et al. 2012. A method for reliable voluntary oral administration of a fixed dosage (mg/kg) of chronic daily medication to rats. Laboratory Animals 46(4), 318-324.

Shelter-style environmental enrichment affects neurobehavioral status of laboratory mice

Environmental enrichment aims to improve the wellbeing of laboratory animals and provides an opportunity to improve experimental reliability and validity. Animals raised in more stimulating environments have improved learning and memory as well as more complex brain architecture. However, the...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Coke-Murphy, C. S., Saborido, T. P., Buendia, M. et al. 2012. Shelter-style environmental enrichment affects neurobehavioral status of laboratory mice. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 639-640 (Abstract #PS47).

Playful handling by caretakers reduces fear of humans in the laboratory rat

Handling of laboratory rats can increase physiological and emotional stress, leading to a fearful relationship with humans. We hypothesized that the affective quality of handling techniques used during routine care influences the animals' fear of humans. We assessed responses of...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Panksepp, J., Newberry, R. C. 2012. Playful handling by caretakers reduces fear of humans in the laboratory rat. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 140(3-4), 161-171.

A safe, gentle and effective method of oral dosing guinea-pigs

Guinea pigs are difficult to oral gavage dose. Previous adverse effects from this dosing method, using rigid catheters, had caused an earlier endpoint to studies and loss of data. We therefore developed a prototype gag made from a 2.5 mL...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Blyth, L. 2012. A safe, gentle and effective method of oral dosing guinea-pigs. Animal Technology and Welfare 11, 187-188.