Effects of surgical catheterization and degree of isolation on the behavior and exocrine pancreatic secretion of newly weaned pigs (2001)

Herskin, M. S., Hedemann, M. S.

Abstract

These results suggest that it is important to be aware of effects of housing, experimental surgery, and associated handling when interpreting results from intensive experiments. .. In relation to the biology of experimental animals the effects of housing, and especially of experimental surgery, have scarcely been investigated. In experiments in which individual housing of weaned pigs is warranted, the provision of social contact through wire mesh might make it easier for the pigs to cope with the housing system. Furthermore, when interpretation of data from animals subjected to experimental surgery is done, it is important to consider possible changes in behavior, as well as changed fear of humans.