Publications

Refinement as ethics principle in animal research: Is it necessary to standardize the environmental enrichment in laboratory animals?

The Environmental enrichment technique, although scientifically recognized for raising the level of animal welfare, has led to the questioning of its influence on the results of experimental research. Thus, the goal is to promote reflection about the need for standardization...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Fischer, M. L., Rodrigues, G. S., Aguero, W. P. et al. 2021. Refinement as ethics principle in animal research: Is it necessary to standardize the environmental enrichment in laboratory animals? Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 93(1), e20191526.

Effects of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation: A crossover study comparing peat and wood shavings

Bedding materials affect stable air hygiene, and thus the development and exacerbation of equine asthma. There is limited knowledge concerning the effects of different types of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation. The objective of our study was to...

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

Citation: Mönki, J., Saastamoinen, M., Karikoski, N. et al. 2021. Effects of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation: A crossover study comparing peat and wood shavings. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8, 656814.

Preclinical validation of the micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) method in the maternal immune activation model of neurodevelopmental disorders

Pharmacological treatments in laboratory rodents remain a cornerstone of preclinical psychopharmacological research and drug development. There are numerous ways in which acute or chronic pharmacological treatments can be implemented, with each method having certain advantages and drawbacks. Here, we describe...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Scarborough, J., Mueller, F., Arban, R. et al. 2020. Preclinical validation of the micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) method in the maternal immune activation model of neurodevelopmental disorders. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity 88, 461-470.

The development and use of facial grimace scales for pain measurement in animals

The measurement of pain in animals is surprisingly complex, and remains a critical issue in veterinary care and biomedical research. Based on the known utility of pain measurement via facial expression in verbal and especially non-verbal human populations, “grimace scales”...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat, Cattle, Equine, Ferret, Mouse, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Sheep

Citation: Mogil, J. S., Pang, D. S. J., Silva Dutra, G. G. et al. 2020. The development and use of facial grimace scales for pain measurement in animals. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 116, 480-496.

Behavioural indicators of welfare exhibited by the common European cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis)

The common European cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is frequently found in public aquaria in Europe. These remarkable creatures make fantastic display animals due to their rapid colour/texture/behaviour changes associated with feeding or camouflage. They possess extremely fragile bodies and soft tissues,...

Year Published: 2015Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cephalopod, Invertebrate

Citation: Cooke, G. M., Tonkins, B. M. 2015. Behavioural indicators of welfare exhibited by the common European cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis). Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 3(4), 157-162.

Agreement and reliability of the Feline Grimace Scale among cat owners, veterinarians, veterinary students and nurses

This study aimed to evaluate the agreement and reliability of the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) among cat owners, veterinarians, veterinary students and nurses/technicians. Raters (n = 5/group) scored 100 images using the FGS (ear position, orbital tightening, muzzle tension, whiskers position and...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Evangelista, M. C., Steagall, P. V. 2021. Agreement and reliability of the Feline Grimace Scale among cat owners, veterinarians, veterinary students and nurses. Scientific Reports 11(1), 5262.

Macaque monkeys learn and perform a non-match-to-goal task using an automated home cage training procedure

In neurophysiology, nonhuman primates represent an important model for studying the brain. Typically, monkeys are moved from their home cage to an experimental room daily, where they sit in a primate chair and interact with electronic devices. Refining this procedure...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Sacchetti, S., Ceccarelli, F., Ferrucci, L. et al. 2021. Macaque monkeys learn and perform a non-match-to-goal task using an automated home cage training procedure. Scientific Reports 11(1), 2700.

The importance of positive rewards in dog training

Arabella Gray discusses the latest evidence of the negative impact of aversive‐based training methods on companion dog welfare.

Year Published: 2021Topics: Animal TrainingAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Gray, A. 2021. The importance of positive rewards in dog training. Veterinary Record 188(2), 82-83.

Voluntary exercise enhances hippocampal theta rhythm and cognition in the rat

Regular exercise promotes learning and memory functions. Theta activity is known to relate to various cognitive functions. An increase in theta power may be related to higher cognitive functioning and learning functions. However, evidence is lacking to directly confirm that...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Li, J.-Y., Kuo, T. B. J., Hung, C.-T. et al. 2021. Voluntary exercise enhances hippocampal theta rhythm and cognition in the rat. Behavioural Brain Research 399, 112916.

Rams recognize and prefer the human who regularly brushed them

Brushing produces a relaxing effect and improves the welfare of ewes and lambs and the human-animal relationship. Lambs gently handled during rearing are less fearful to humans in their adulthood, but there are few studies on the development of a...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Handling, Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Chaumont, S., Freitas-de-Melo, A., Pinto-Santini, L., Menant, O. et al. 2021. Rams recognize and prefer the human who regularly brushed them. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 236, 105250.