Publications

An international survey of approaches to chair restraint of nonhuman primates

Specifically designed restraint chairs are the preferred method of restraint for research studies that require NHP to sit in place for sustained periods of time. In light of increasing emphasis on refinement of restraint to improve animal wellbeing, it is...

Year Published: 2017Topics: RestraintAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: McMillan, J. L., Bloomsmith, M. A., Prescott, M. J. 2017. An international survey of approaches to chair restraint of nonhuman primates. Comparative Medicine 67(5), 442–451.

To treat or not to treat: The effects of pain on experimental parameters

A common dilemma faced by all animal bioethics committees arises when exceptions are proposed to the use of analgesics in painful procedures. The committee and researcher must weigh the possible confounding effects of including additional drugs (analgesics) in their treatment...

Year Published: 2017Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Peterson, N. C., Nunamaker, E. A., Turner, P. V. 2017. To treat or not to treat: The effects of pain on experimental parameters. Comparative Medicine 67(6), 469–482.

Hypercortisolemia and depressive-like behaviors in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) involved in visual research

A 10-y-old cranially implanted rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) involved in visual research was presented for dull mentation and weight loss. Physical examination revealed alopecia and poor body conditioning, and bloodwork revealed marked hypercortisolemia (23 μg/dL). Differential diagnoses for hypercortisolemia, weight...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Adams, S. C., Guyot, C. M., Berry, K. M. et al. 2017. Hypercortisolemia and depressive-like behaviors in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) involved in visual research. Comparative Medicine 67(6), 529–536.

Humane endpoints for guinea pigs used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine research

Guinea pigs are a commonly used model for tuberculosis vaccine research. Loss of body weight is the most frequently described humane endpoint for animals used in these studies. During a chronic study, we noted labored breathing in some tuberculosis-infected guinea...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Humane EndpointAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Collymore, C., Kent, L., Ahn, S. K. et al. 2018. Humane endpoints for guinea pigs used for Mycobacterium tuberculosis vaccine research. Comparative Medicine 68(1), 41–47.

Cohousing male mice with and without segmental bone defects

Spaceflight results in bone loss like that associated with osteoporosis or decreased weight-bearing (for example, high-energy trauma such as explosive injuries and automobile accidents). Thus, the unique spaceflight laboratory on the International Space Station presents the opportunity to test bone...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Rytlewski, J. D., Childress, P. J., Scofield, D. C. et al. 2018. Cohousing male mice with and without segmental bone defects. Comparative Medicine 68(2), 131–138.

Retrospective review of surgical outcomes and pair-housing success in vasectomized rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Providing social housing for adult male macaques can be challenging. One successful strategy for long-term social housing of adult male macaques is to pair them with adult females; however, unwanted breeding must be prevented by sterilization of the male or...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Reproduction, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Ekanayake-Alper,D. K., Wilson, S. R., Scholz, J. A. 2018. Retrospective review of surgical outcomes and pair-housing success in vasectomized rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Comparative Medicine 68(2), 168–176.

Refinement and successful implementation of a scoring system for myxomatosis in a susceptible rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) model

Myxoma virus is a member of Leporipoxviridae whose tropism is tightly restricted to lagomorphs. In susceptible Oryctolagus rabbits, the virus causes a highly lethal disease known as myxomatosis, which begins as a localized infection but rapidly disseminates throughout the animal,...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Humane EndpointAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Wolfe, A. M., Rahman, M., McFadden, D. G. et al. 2018. Refinement and successful implementation of a scoring system for myxomatosis in a susceptible rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) model. Comparative Medicine 68(4), 280–285.

Effects of rodent thermoregulation on animal models in the research environment

To best promote animal wellbeing and the efficacy of biomedical models, scientific, husbandry, and veterinary professionals must consider the mechanisms, influences, and outcomes of rodent thermoregulation in contemporary research environments. Over the last 2 decades, numerous studies have shown that...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Hankenson, F. C., Marx, J. O., Gordon, C. J. et al. 2018. Effects of rodent thermoregulation on animal models in the research environment. Comparative Medicine 68(6), 425–438.

Play and optimal welfare: Does play indicate the presence of positive affective states?

Play is commonly used to assess affective states in both humans and non-human animals. Play appears to be most common when animals are well-fed and not under any direct threats to fitness. Could play and playfulness therefore indicate pre-existing positive...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Ahloy-Dallaire, J., Espinosa, J., Mason, G. 2018. Play and optimal welfare: Does play indicate the presence of positive affective states? Behavioural Processes 156, 3-15.

Social management of laboratory rhesus macaques housed in large groups using a network approach: A review

Biomedical facilities across the nation and worldwide aim to develop cost-effective methods for the reproductive management of macaque breeding groups, typically by housing macaques in large, multi-male multi-female social groups that provide monkey subjects for research as well as appropriate...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: McCowan, B., Beisner, B., Hannibal, D. 2018. Social management of laboratory rhesus macaques housed in large groups using a network approach: A review. Behavioural Processes 156, 77-82.