Publications

Body length as an objective marker of time to wean in laboratory mice

In laboratory mice, the 21-day weaning standard is the most commonly applied strategy across institutions. However, this strategy has numerous drawbacks, including potential for litter overlap, pup mortality, and weaning extensions. In pursuit of a more objective marker for weaning,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Wilson, R. L., Dupont, W. D., Hunter, C. L. et al. 2025. Body length as an objective marker of time to wean in laboratory mice. JAALAS 64(5), 962–967.

An adapted Qualitative Behavioural Assessment of dogs’ facial expressions of fear and frustration

Qualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA) involves the quantification of people’s holistic interpretations of the style and quality of movement and has been used to assess the emotional states of many species, including dogs. Faces are a rich source of emotional expression,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Wilson, B. M., Correia-Caeiro, C., Mills, D. S. 2025. An adapted Qualitative Behavioural Assessment of dogs’ facial expressions of fear and frustration. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106828.

Tortoise Husbandry and Welfare

Keeping captive tortoises healthy and well is a significant challenge. Because they are ectotherms, these reptiles are totally dependent upon external sources to maintain body temperature and therefore metabolic function. Their physical environment is vital for them to remain healthy,...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Williams, J. 2024. Tortoise Husbandry and Welfare. CABI, 303 pages.

Thermoneutral environment improves mouse welfare and reduces stress in metabolic cages

Metabolic cages (MCs) are often used to collect feces and urine samples. However, the housing of mice in MCs can be stressful, potentially affecting parameters of interest. Here we compare our standard protocol for individual MC housing (4 days at 23 °C:...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Villiger, P., Calvet, C., Pastor-Arroyo, E. M. et al. 2025. Thermoneutral environment improves mouse welfare and reduces stress in metabolic cages. Lab Animal 54(11), 303–312.

A customised combination of environmental enrichment reduces aggression in CD-1 male mice

Murine aggression has profound implications on animal welfare and husbandry. This report examines how three distinct combinations of environmental enrichment – wheel, igloo and tunnel; wheel, igloo, and tunnel with nesting; and tunnel with nesting – affect aggressive behaviour in...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Veness, A., Galichet, C., Murphy, S. et al. 2025. A customised combination of environmental enrichment reduces aggression in CD-1 male mice. Laboratory Animals 59(5), 588–592.

Habituation with apparatus and group testing improves assessment of fish preferences

Preference tests are commonly used to assess fish behavior and cognition in several research fields. This study aimed to investigate how fish perform in a preference test involving extended habituation to the apparatus, which was expected to reduce stress. We...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Behavioral & Cognitive TestingAnimal Type: Fish, Other Fish

Citation: Varracchio, C., Paci, F. P., Bertolucci, C. et al. 2025. Habituation with apparatus and group testing improves assessment of fish preferences. Journal of Fish Biology 107(4), 1149–1158.

Alfaxalone as a total intravenous anesthesia protocol in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) improves cardiovascular stability compared to isoflurane

Alfaxalone has been studied for anesthetic induction of rabbits with rapid onset and a short duration of action; however, it has been minimally evaluated as an option for anesthetic maintenance. This study compared alfaxalone-based total intravenous anesthesia maintenance protocols against...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Tsai, J. Y., Palomera, E. E., Kundo, J. P. et al. 2025. Alfaxalone as a total intravenous anesthesia protocol in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) improves cardiovascular stability compared to isoflurane. JAALAS 64(5), 932–939.

Accuracy of smartwatches for measuring heart rate and oxygen saturation in cynomolgus macaques compared to clinical standards

Continuous monitoring of physiological parameters in non-human primates (NHPs) necessitates a precise, non-invasive, and convenient method. This study aimed to validate the use of smartwatches with integrated pulse oximetry and heart rate (HR) monitoring capabilities for use in NHPs. Currently,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Tiplady, M., Douchant, K., Winterborn, A. N. 2025. Accuracy of smartwatches for measuring heart rate and oxygen saturation in cynomolgus macaques compared to clinical standards. Laboratory Animals 59(4), 508–517.

Sex and strain differences in the micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) method in mice

To provide an alternative to oral gavage for per os treatments in laboratory mice, we have recently developed and introduced the micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) method. This procedure is based on the presentation of a palatable solution consisting of sweetened...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Drug/Substance AdministrationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Steiner, S., Krzyzaniak, O., Nilsson, F. A. M. et al. 2025. Sex and strain differences in the micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) method in mice. Laboratory Animals 59(5), 578–587.

Adult chicken hens express their affective states via bare facial skin blushing and head feather movements

In mammals, facial expressions serve as a window into a variety of affective states. Emotional facial expressions in birds have received little scientific attention. Juvenile hens showed variations in their facial display, facial redness and head feather position, depending on...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & SentienceAnimal Type: Bird, Chicken

Citation: Soulet, D., Love, S. A., Blache, M.-C. et al. 2025. Adult chicken hens express their affective states via bare facial skin blushing and head feather movements. Animal Behaviour 227, 123277.