Publications

Effect of environmental enrichment on the brain and on learning and cognition by animals

The humane treatment of animals suggests that they should be housed in an environment that is rich in stimulation and allows for varied activities. However, even if one's main concern is an accurate assessment of their learning and cognitive abilities,...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Zentall, T. R. 2021. Effect of environmental enrichment on the brain and on learning and cognition by animals. Animals 11(4), 973.

Retrospective analysis of the effectiveness and reversibility of long-acting contraception Etonogestrel (Implanon®) in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Contraception is an important population control method for the colony management of primates housed in captivity. Etonogestrel (ENG) implants (i.e., Implanon®) are a widely used progestin-based contraceptive in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) with the theoretical advantages of being reversible and...

Year Published: 2021Topics: ReproductionAnimal Type: Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Roubos, S., Louwerse, A. L., Langermans, J. A. M. et al. 2021. Retrospective analysis of the effectiveness and reversibility of long-acting contraception Etonogestrel (Implanon®) in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Animals 11(4), 963.

Evaluation of potential sustainable bedding substrates focusing on preference, behavior, and stress physiology in rats—A pilot study

Ensuring optimal housing conditions for laboratory animals is a crucial prerequisite for high-quality and ethically justifiable in vivo science. In addition to guaranteeing animal welfare and promoting scientific validity, environmental sustainability is also increasingly gaining attention in laboratory animal facilities....

Year Published: 2021Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Vogt, M. A., Geiger, L. M. J., Härtel, T. et al. 2021. Evaluation of potential sustainable bedding substrates focusing on preference, behavior, and stress physiology in rats—A pilot study. Animals 11(5), 1375.

Enhanced understanding of horse–human interactions to optimize welfare

Horses (Equus caballus) have been domesticated for millennia and are regularly utilized for work, sport, and companionship. Enhanced understanding of human–horse interactions can create avenues to optimize their welfare. This review explores the current research surrounding many aspects of human–horse...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Merkies, K., Franzin, O. 2021. Enhanced understanding of horse–human interactions to optimize welfare. Animals 11(5), 1347.

Keeping stallions in groups—Species-appropriate or relevant to animal welfare?

This literature review was aimed at analyzing whether stallion husbandry in groups is possible and desirable or poses risks. This was determined on the basis of different studies in order to be able to give practical recommendations from the viewpoint...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Gehlen, H., Krumbach, K., Thöne-Reineke, C. 2021. Keeping stallions in groups—Species-appropriate or relevant to animal welfare? Animals 11(5), 1317.

Methods for pain assessment in calves and their use for the evaluation of pain during different procedures—A review

The evaluation and assessment of the level of pain calves are experiencing is important, as the experience of pain (e.g., due to routine husbandry procedures) severely affects the welfare of calves. Studies about the recognition of pain in calves, and...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Body Modification/Mutilation, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Tschoner, T. 2021. Methods for pain assessment in calves and their use for the evaluation of pain during different procedures—A review. Animals 11(5), 1235.

Non-invasive measurement of thyroid hormones in domestic rabbits

Thyroid hormones are essential for metabolism, energy homeostasis and reproduction. Hormones can be measured in various biological source materials: blood, feces, urine, saliva and others. The aim of our study was to verify usefulness of thyroid hormone analysis in the...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Chmurska-Gąsowska, M., Sowińska, N., Pałka, S. et al. 2021. Non-invasive measurement of thyroid hormones in domestic rabbits. Animals 11(5), 1194.

Recommendations for ensuring good welfare of horses used for industrial blood, serum, or urine production

Various pharmaceutical products have been derived from horse blood and urine for over a century. Production of biologics and therapeutics from these samples is a niche industry and often occurs in regions with little regulation or veterinary oversight. To ensure...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Manteca Vilanova, X., Beaver, B., Uldahl, M. et al. 2021. Recommendations for ensuring good welfare of horses used for industrial blood, serum, or urine production. Animals 11(5), 1466.

Recommendations for abnormal behaviour ethograms in monkey research

Laboratory monkey ethograms currently include subcategories of abnormal behaviours that are based on superficial morphological similarity. Yet, such ethograms may be misclassifying behaviour, with potential welfare implications as different abnormal behaviours are likely to have distinct risk factors and treatments....

Year Published: 2021Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Polanco, A., McCowan, B., Niel, L. et al. 2021. Recommendations for abnormal behaviour ethograms in monkey research. Animals 11(5), 1461.

Getting it straight: Accommodating rectilinear behavior in captive snakes—A review of recommendations and their evidence base

Snakes are sentient animals and should be subject to the accepted general welfare principles of other species. However, they are also the only vertebrates commonly housed in conditions that prevent them from adopting rectilinear behavior (ability to fully stretch out)....

Year Published: 2021Topics: HousingAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Warwick, C., Grant, R., Steedman, C. et al. 2021. Getting it straight: Accommodating rectilinear behavior in captive snakes—A review of recommendations and their evidence base. Animals 11(5), 1459.