Rodent

Litter size predicts adult stereotypic behavior in female laboratory mice

Stereotypic behaviors are repetitive invariant behaviors that are common in many captive species and potentially indicate compromised welfare and suitability as research subjects. Adult laboratory mice commonly perform stereotypic bar-gnawing, route-tracing, and back-flipping, although great individual variation in frequency occurs....

Year Published: 2012Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Bechard, A., Nicholson, A., Mason, G. 2012. Litter size predicts adult stereotypic behavior in female laboratory mice. JAALAS 51(3), 407-411.

Effects of space allocation and housing density on measures of wellbeing in laboratory mice: A review

In the majority of countries where there are legislative requirements pertaining to the use of animals in research, figures are quoted for minimum cage sizes or space allocation to be provided per animal. These figures are generally based on professional...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Stocking DensityAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Whittaker, A. L., Howarth, G. S., Hickman, D. L. 2012. Effects of space allocation and housing density on measures of wellbeing in laboratory mice: A review. Laboratory Animals 46(1), 3-13.

The impact of huts on physiological stress: A refinement in post-transport housing of male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

The ideal animal model would contribute no confounding variables in experimental science. Variables affect experimental design resulting in increased animal use or repeated studies. We demonstrated a simple refinement which may reduce the number of animals used experimentally while simultaneously...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Relocation & Transport, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Walters, S. L., Torres-Urbano, C. J., Chichester, L. et al. 2012. The impact of huts on physiological stress: A refinement in post-transport housing of male guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Laboratory Animals 46(3), 220-224.

Environmental enrichment exerts anxiolytic effects in the Indian field mouse (Mus booduga)

The adult male field mouse Mus booduga (n = 42) captured at agricultural field, were housed in non-enriched standard condition (SC) for 7 days and considered as directly from wild (DW). Another two groups of mice were housed in either...

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

Citation: Varmana, D. R., Marimuthub, G., Rajana, K. E. 2012. Environmental enrichment exerts anxiolytic effects in the Indian field mouse (Mus booduga). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 136(2-4), 166-173.

Training rats to shift into clean cages by using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement

Changing soiled cages is an integral part of husbandry, yet it can be a source of stress for both animal and animal care technician. In one case, large geriatric rats weighing around 1 kg did not have a positive response...

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

Citation: Severs, E., Leszcynski, J. 2012. Training rats to shift into clean cages by using operant conditioning with positive reinforcement. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 632-633 (Abstract #PS8).

Enrichment materials do not negatively affect reproductive success and offspring survival and weight in mice

Environmental enrichment is designed to improve the overall welfare of laboratory animals, including mice. Few studies have directly assessed the effects of different types of enrichment on mouse offspring survival and growth. The authors examined how survival and growth of...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & Weaning, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Shair, H. N., Nunez, Y., Osman, M. M. 2012. Enrichment materials do not negatively affect reproductive success and offspring survival and weight in mice. Lab Animal 41(1), 14-19.

Current practices in a captive breeding colony of 13-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus)

The authors provide an update to their 2006 report on the successful large-scale captive breeding of the 13-lined ground squirrel (TLGS; Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) in their colony, now a single-source supplier of purpose-bred TLGSs for several research institutions. With funding from...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, ReproductionAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Merriman, D. K., Lahvis, G., Jooss, M. et al. 2012. Current practices in a captive breeding colony of 13-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus). Lab Animal 41(11), 315-325.

Voluntary ingestion of nut paste for administration of buprenorphine in rats and mice

An adequate analgesic strategy is important to improve the postoperative recovery and welfare of laboratory rats and mice. It is desirable that the method for administering the drug is non-invasive and stress-free. We have previously validated a method for administering...

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

Citation: Abelson, K. S. P., Jacobsen, K. R., Sundbom, R. et al. 2012. Voluntary ingestion of nut paste for administration of buprenorphine in rats and mice. Laboratory Animals 46(4), 349-351.

Going back to nature: The benefits of wood enrichment

Environmental enrichment can be defined as altering the living environment of captive animals in order to provide them with opportunities to express more of their natural behavioral repertoire. The challenge of providing effective enrichment in laboratory species is to ensure...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Froberg-Fejko, K. M., Lecker, J. L. 2012. Going back to nature: The benefits of wood enrichment. Lab Animal 41(11), 345-347.

Impact of nesting material on mouse body temperature and physiology

In laboratories, mice are housed at 20-24 °C, which is below their lower critical temperature (≈30 °C). Thus, mice are potentially cold stressed, which can alter metabolism, immune function, and reproduction. These physiological changes reflect impaired wellbeing, and affect scientific...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gaskill, B. N., Gordon, C. J., Davis, J. K. et al. 2013. Impact of nesting material on mouse body temperature and physiology. Physiology & Behavior 110, 87-95.