Rodent

Effects of temporary access to environmental enrichment on measures of laboratory mouse welfare

Laboratory mice are typically housed in “shoebox” cages with limited opportunities to engage in natural behaviour. Temporary access to environments with increased space and complexity (playpens) may improve mouse welfare. Previous work by our group has shown that mice are...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Ratuski, A. S., Améndola, L., Makowska, I. J. et al. 2024. Effects of temporary access to environmental enrichment on measures of laboratory mouse welfare. Scientific Reports 14(1), 15143.

A simple and low-cost environmental enrichment program improves the welfare of Calomys callosus, a species that adapts to animal facilities

An environmental enrichment protocol is essential for testing experimental models because it upholds animal welfare, aligns with ethical principles in animal experimentation, and reduces the number of animals needed. Calomys callosus, a South American rodent from the Cricetidae family, is...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Klein, S. G., de Assis, T. S., Pereira, G. S. et al. 2024. A simple and low-cost environmental enrichment program improves the welfare of Calomys callosus, a species that adapts to animal facilities. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11.

The future is not bright: Evaluation of rat preferences for color and intensity of light

Light is a key factor influencing the welfare of laboratory rodents, but little is known about their optimal lighting condition. It i common knowledge that rats prefer dim light, so bright light is mitigated with red-tinted shelters or cages, which...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Swan, M., Horvath, A., Pritchett, R. K. et al. 2024. The future is not bright: Evaluation of rat preferences for color and intensity of light. Animals 14(14), 2045.

Effects of intermittent harem mating on parturition-induced stress and success rate of weaning in C57BL/6JNarl mice

Improving the effectiveness of mating schemes for large-scale production of mice is an ongoing challenge in animal facilities. Continuous mating, which requires fewer breeding cages than intermittent mating, has traditionally been used to take advantage of postpartum estrus for efficient...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Rearing & Weaning, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Chang, T.-K., Wang, C.-H., Lin, T.-Y. et al. 2024. Effects of intermittent harem mating on parturition-induced stress and success rate of weaning in C57BL/6JNarl mice. JAALAS 63(5), 488–494.

Noise and vibration generation and response of mice (Mus musculus) to routine intrafacility transportation methods

Intrafacility transport of mice is an essential function for both laboratory and husbandry personnel. However, transport may induce a stress response that can alter research findings and negatively impact animal welfare. To determine minimally adverse intrafacility transport methods, in-cage noise...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Cordingley, J. R., Nemzek, J., Qi, N. 2024. Noise and vibration generation and response of mice (Mus musculus) to routine intrafacility transportation methods. JAALAS 63(3), 221–231.

Ammonia accumulation as a proxy to determine cage-change frequency in antelope ground squirrels (Ammospermophilus leucurus)

Due to a lack of evidence-based standards for cage-change intervals for antelope ground squirrels (AGS, Ammospermophilus leucurus), we evaluated cage ammonia accumulation in our colony of adult, wild-caught AGS and identified factors that influenced ammonia levels. Intracage ammonia was measured...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Other Rodent, Rodent

Citation: Ellis, M. M., Brune, J. E., Patil, K. et al. 2024. Ammonia accumulation as a proxy to determine cage-change frequency in antelope ground squirrels (Ammospermophilus leucurus). JAALAS 63(3), 251–256.

Rat tickling: A systematic review of applications, outcomes, and moderators

Year Published: 2017Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: LaFollette, M. R., O'Haire, M. E., Cloutier, S. et al. 2017. Rat tickling: A systematic review of applications, outcomes, and moderators. PLOS ONE 12(4), e0175320. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0175320

Bite wounds and dominance structures in male and female African spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus): Implications for animal welfare and the generalizability of experimental results

Bite wounds due to aggression in male laboratory mice (Mus musculus) are a major welfare concern, often leading to attrition, chronic activation of the innate immune system, and significant impacts on the experimental results derived from the use of these...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Varholick, J. A., Godinez, G., Jenkins, A. et al. 2024. Bite wounds and dominance structures in male and female African spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus): Implications for animal welfare and the generalizability of experimental results. Animals 14(1), 64.

Improved memory and lower stress levels in male mice co-housed with ovariectomized female mice

Aggressiveness, expressed by fighting, is a frequent problem in group-housed laboratory male mice and results in increased stress, injury, and death. One way to prevent fighting is by pairing the male mice with ovariectomized female mice to provide a compatible...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wikanthi, L. S. S., Forsström, J., Ewaldsson, B. et al. 2024. Improved memory and lower stress levels in male mice co-housed with ovariectomized female mice. Animals 14(10), 1503.

Optimizing environmental enrichment for Sprague Dawley rats: Exemplary insights into the liver proteome

Background Considering the expected increase in the elderly population and the growing emphasis on aging-related biomedical research, the demand for aged laboratory animals has surged, challenging established husbandry practices. Our objective was to establish a cost-effective method for environmental enrichment,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Roschke, N. N., Hillebrandt, K. H., Polenz, D. et al. 2024. Optimizing environmental enrichment for Sprague Dawley rats: Exemplary insights into the liver proteome. PLOS ONE 19(4), e0297497.