Publications

The epidemiology of fighting in group-housed laboratory mice

Injurious home-cage aggression (fighting) in mice affects both animal welfare and scientific validity. It is arguably the most common potentially preventable morbidity in mouse facilities. Existing literature on mouse aggression almost exclusively examines territorial aggression induced by introducing a stimulus...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Abnormal/Problematic BehaviorAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Theil, J. H., Ahloy-Dallaire, J., Weber, E. M. et al. 2020. The epidemiology of fighting in group-housed laboratory mice. Scientific Reports 10(1), 16649.

The identification of effective welfare indicators for laboratory-housed macaques using a Delphi consultation process

Despite the importance for both animal welfare and scientific integrity of effective welfare assessment in non-human primates, there has been little or no consensus as what should be assessed. A Delphi consultation process was undertaken to identify the animal- and...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Truelove, M. A., Martin, J. E., Langford, F. M. et al. 2020. The identification of effective welfare indicators for laboratory-housed macaques using a Delphi consultation process. Scientific Reports 10(1), 20402.

The impact of common recovery blood sampling methods, in mice (Mus musculus), on well-being and sample quality: A systematic review

Blood sampling is often performed in laboratory mice. Sampling techniques have the potential to cause pain, distress and impact on lifetime cumulative experience. In spite of institutions commonly providing guidance to researchers on these methods, and the existence of published...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Whittaker, A. L., Barker, T. H. 2020. The impact of common recovery blood sampling methods, in mice (Mus musculus), on well-being and sample quality: A systematic review. Animals 10(6), 989.

The impact of handling technique and handling frequency on laboratory mouse welfare is sex-specific

Handling is a well-known source of stress to laboratory animals and can affect variability of results and even compromise animal welfare. The conventional tail handling in mice has been shown to induce aversion and anxiety-like behaviour. Recent findings demonstrate that...

Year Published: 2020Topics: HandlingAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sensini, F., Inta, D., Palme, R. et al. 2020. The impact of handling technique and handling frequency on laboratory mouse welfare is sex-specific. Scientific Reports 10(1), 17281.

The influence of different types of outdoor access on dairy cattle behavior

Pasture access for dairy cows is highly valued both by cows and the public at large. When pasture access is not feasible, farmers can provide cows with alternative forms of outdoor access, such as an outdoor bedded pack, that may...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Smid, A. M. C., Weary, D. M., von Keyserlingk, M. A. G. 2020. The influence of different types of outdoor access on dairy cattle behavior. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 257.

The influence of human interaction on guinea pigs: Behavioral and thermographic changes during animal-assisted therapy

Guinea pigs are often involved in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) but there is little knowledge about the effects of human contact on guinea pigs involved in AAT. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of availability of a retreat,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: Wirth, S., Gebhardt-Henrich, S. G., Riemer, S. et al. 2020. The influence of human interaction on guinea pigs: Behavioral and thermographic changes during animal-assisted therapy. Physiology & Behavior 225, 113076.

The natural behavior debate: Two conceptions of animal welfare

The performance of natural behavior is commonly used as a criterion in the determination of animal welfare. This is still true, despite many authors having demonstrated that it is not a necessary component of welfare – some natural behaviors may...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Natural Behavior, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Browning, H. 2020. The natural behavior debate: Two conceptions of animal welfare. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 23(3), 325-337.

The power of a positive human–animal relationship for animal welfare

Domestic animals often seek and enjoy interacting with humans. Positive human–animal relationships can elicit positive emotions and other positive welfare outcomes. Nevertheless, our understanding of the underlying processes that govern the positive perception of humans by animals is incomplete. We...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Human-Animal InteractionAnimal Type: All/General, Bird, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Dog, Goat, Parrot, Pig, Rat, Rodent, Sheep

Citation: Rault, J.-L., Waiblinger, S., Boivin, X. et al. 2020. The power of a positive human–animal relationship for animal welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7, 590867.

A semi-structured questionnaire survey of laboratory animal rehoming practice across 41 UK animal research facilities

If a laboratory animal survives an experiment without lasting compromised welfare, its future must be negotiated. Rehoming may be a consideration. This paper reports on research findings that provide an indication of the uptake of animal rehoming by UK facilities...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Skidmore, T., Roe, E. 2020. A semi-structured questionnaire survey of laboratory animal rehoming practice across 41 UK animal research facilities. PLOS ONE 15(6): e0234922.

A systematic study of injectable anesthetic agents in the brown anole lizard (Anolis sagrei)

Anolis lizards have served as important research models in fields ranging from evolution and ecology to physiology and biomechanics. However, anoles are also emerging as important models for studies of embryo development and tissue regeneration. The increased use of anoles...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Rasys, A. M., Divers, S. J., Lauderdale, J. D. et al. 2020. A systematic study of injectable anesthetic agents in the brown anole lizard (Anolis sagrei). Laboratory Animals 54(3), 281–292.