Are laboratory animals stressed by their housing environment and are investigators aware that this stress can affect physiological data? (2003)

Jain, M., Baldwin, A. L.

Abstract

Although stress can affect the behavior and physiology of laboratory animals, there has been little investigation into the quality of animal research is affected if the animals are stressed. Even minor perturbations (i.e., environmental can produce a stress response. A pilot survey was designed (29/49 responded) to determine the prevalence of noise in animal facilities and whether researchers are aware that noise can affect animal physiology. Most respondents that environmental factors are stressful to laboratory animals (97%) and minor pain/stress causes physiological (62%). Of 19/29 respondents who believed their facility was quiet, 8 identified at least 3-5 pronounced noise. We hypothesize that the level of extraneous noise considered acceptable by an investigator depends on their degree awareness that environment can affect an animal's physiology, and their perception of the existence of interactions in an animal.