Effects of environmental enrichment for mice: Variation in experimental results (2002)

Van de Weerd, H. A., Aarsen, E. L., Mulder, A. et al.

Abstract

Mice from enriched conditions [sawdust bedding, paper, nest box, climbing gird, gnawing blocks, tubes] weight more and consumed more food than mice from standard housing conditions. ... Mice from standard housing conditions were more active in an open field, suggesting a tendency to overrespond to various stimuli in a testing environment. Mice from enriched environments were more tranquil and easier to handle. The enrichment did not influence the variability of any of the parameters measured [2 routine tests: potency testing for tetanus vaccine and stress-induced hyperthermia].