Publications

Housing conditions affect adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavior but not their physiological status

Zebrafish is a valuable model for neuroscience research, but the housing conditions to which it is exposed daily may be impairing its welfare status. The use of environmental enrichment and the refinement of methodology for cortisol measurement could reduce stress,...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Jorge, S., Félix, L., Costas, B. et al. 2023. Housing conditions affect adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) behavior but not their physiological status. Animals 13(6), 1120.

Effects of castration and sterilization on baseline and response levels of cortisol—A case study in male guinea pigs

An uncontrolled reproduction of animals in human hands should be avoided. To meet this goal, animals are widely castrated, i.e., the gonads are completely removed. Since the gonads are the most important source of sex hormones, this is a serious...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, ReproductionAnimal Type: All/General, Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Kaiser, S., Korte, A., Wistuba, J. et al. 2023. Effects of castration and sterilization on baseline and response levels of cortisol—A case study in male guinea pigs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9, 1093157.

Habituation to livestock trailer and its influence on stress responses during transportation in goats

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of habituation to livestock trailers on stress responses in goats transported for long periods. Intact male Spanish goats (12-month old; BW = 31.6 ± 0.34 kg; N = 168) were separated into...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Animal Training, Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Goat

Citation: Kannan, G., Batchu, P., Naldurtiker, A. et al. 2023. Habituation to livestock trailer and its influence on stress responses during transportation in goats. Animals 13(7), 1191.

Validating the use of box training as a refinement to rabbit handling

In the wild, rabbits are prey animals and so the act of being picked up and handled can be extremely stressful for them. Yet, the most used method of handling laboratory rabbits is to grasp the animal by the scruff,...

Year Published: 2023Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Kinally, A., Onions, L., Glenn, S. 2023. Validating the use of box training as a refinement to rabbit handling. Animal Technology and Welfare 22(1), 35–40.

Changes in group behaviour in response to a preferred environment reflect positive affect

When observed in their preferred environments, animals display behavioural changes, such as an increase in resting or a reduction in agonism, suggestive of positive affect and improved welfare. However, most studies focus on the behaviour of individuals or, at most,...

Year Published: 2023Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Kleinhappel, T. K., Pike, T. W., Burman, O. H. P. 2023. Changes in group behaviour in response to a preferred environment reflect positive affect. Scientific Reports 13(1), 10576.

Effects of genotype and housing system on rabbit does’ aggressive behaviors and injuries in smallholding conditions

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of housing (deep litter + concrete floor vs. deep litter + ground soil with the possibility to dig burrows), and genotype (Mecklenburg or Hyplus) on aggressive behaviour, social contacts, does'...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Krunt, O., Zita, L., Kraus, A. et al. 2023. Effects of genotype and housing system on rabbit does' aggressive behaviors and injuries in smallholding conditions. Animals 13(8), 1357.

The spritztube: A new device for extraglottic intubation of rabbits

The Spritztube (ST) is an extraglottic airway device developed for humans. The aim of the study was to design an ST for rabbits and to evaluate its feasibility. The study was divided into two phases. Phase I: anatomical study on...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Cannulation, Catheterization, & IntubationAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Lambertini, C., Grandis, A., De Silva, M. et al. 2023. The spritztube: A new device for extraglottic intubation of rabbits. Animals 13(1), 156.

Evaluating self-directed behaviours and their association with emotional arousal across two cognitive tasks in bonobos (Pan paniscus)

Self-directed behaviours (SDBs) are widely used as markers of emotional arousal in primates, and are commonly linked to negative arousal, or are used as indicators of stress or poor welfare. However, recent studies suggest that not all SDBs have the...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Laméris, D. W., Verspeek, J., Salas, M. et al. 2022. Evaluating self-directed behaviours and their association with emotional arousal across two cognitive tasks in bonobos (Pan paniscus). Animals 12(21), 3002.

The effects of age, size, and cage complexity on the behaviour of farmed female chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

Even though chinchillas have been farmed for a century, there are not many studies concerning their behaviour in captivity or their optimal housing conditions, both of which are important factors in the assessment of their welfare. This study aimed to...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Chinchilla, Rodent

Citation: Łapiński, S., Niedbała, P., Markowska, K. et al. 2023. The effects of age, size, and cage complexity on the behaviour of farmed female chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera). Scientific Reports 13(1), 6108.

Assessment of stress caused by environmental changes for improving the welfare of laboratory beagle dogs

Animal stress is influenced by environmental factors, yet only a few studies have evaluated the effects of environmental stress on captive dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental and social enrichment on the stress levels of captive...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Lee, G.-H., Jo, W., Kang, T.-K. et al. 2023. Assessment of stress caused by environmental changes for improving the welfare of laboratory beagle dogs. Animals 13(6), 1095.