Publications

Pathophysiology of penetrating captive-bolt stunning of horses

There has been limited research into the effectiveness of penetrating captive bolt (PCB) for stunning horses (Equus caballus) at slaughter. This study observed 100 horses at a commercial abattoir in Mexico, stunned using pneumatic PCB. Animals were assessed at the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Fletcher, K. A., Benedetti, B., Limon, G. et al. 2025. Pathophysiology of penetrating captive-bolt stunning of horses. Animal Welfare 34, e51.

Environmental enrichment for laboratory rats and mice: Endocrine, physiological, and behavioral benefits of meeting rodents’ biological needs

Standard housing for laboratory rodents is characterized by cages that do not always provide an adequate environment to meet the animal’s behavioral needs. When animals are reared under impoverished conditions, negative states such as boredom and distress might arise. Environmental...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Domínguez-Oliva, A., Hernández-Avalos, I., Bueno-Nava, A. et al. 2025. Environmental enrichment for laboratory rats and mice: Endocrine, physiological, and behavioral benefits of meeting rodents’ biological needs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

3Rs champions team: Empowering animal technicians

To leverage the expertise of Animal Technicians (AT) and other Biological Services staff, the University of Dundee has established a 3Rs Champion team that aims to implement and promote the 3Rs within the university’s animal facilities. Achievements are described.

Year Published: 2025Topics: Human-Animal Interaction, Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Dennison, N., Booth, K., Traill, S. et al. 2025, August 3Rs champions team: Empowering animal technicians. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 131–134.

A scoping review on salivary oxytocin and vasopressin measurement in the dog

Oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) are attracting interest as potential measures for dog welfare and human-dog interactions. The potential for detection and measurement of these two neuropeptides in canine saliva provides a viable alternative to more invasive collection methods. This...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: De Santis, M., Soncin, M., Bertazzo, V. et al. 2025. A scoping review on salivary oxytocin and vasopressin measurement in the dog. Animals 15(16), 2421.

Impact of different controlled temperature and humidity conditions on the behaviour, posture and spatial needs in fattening rabbits

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of thermal conditions on the posture and behaviour of fattening rabbits and to determine the minimum space allowance and height required in a transport container to allow for thermoregulatory behaviours. Thirty-six rabbits (2.27...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Contreras-Jodar, A., Dalmau, A., Bagaria, M. et al. 2025. Impact of different controlled temperature and humidity conditions on the behaviour, posture and spatial needs in fattening rabbits. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Effect of space allowance and transport container height on the welfare of fattening rabbits under different environmental thermal conditions

This study evaluated the combined effects of container space allowance, height, and ambient thermal conditions on the welfare of fattening rabbits during simulated transport. Nine hundred rabbits were exposed to three space allowances (121, 150, and 191 cm2/kg; S121, S150,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Contreras-Jodar, A., Dalmau, A., Bagaria, M. et al. 2025. Effect of space allowance and transport container height on the welfare of fattening rabbits under different environmental thermal conditions. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Findings and refinements from a decade of applying the Cetacean Welfare Assessment (“C-Well”) to multiple species on public display

Zoo animal welfare assessments can be applied to multi-species risk evaluations to species-specific, animal-based protocols. The latter are more difficult to develop and implement due to time-intensive data collection and difficulties with standardisation. The Cetacean Welfare Assessment (C-Well) was published...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Marine Mammal

Citation: Clegg, I., Schultz, R. 2025. Findings and refinements from a decade of applying the Cetacean Welfare Assessment (“C-Well”) to multiple species on public display. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 13(3), 173–185.

Effect of different infrared basking lamps on the heating effectiveness and desiccation of gelatine models: Implications for zoo animal husbandry

Artificial heating via lamp technology is a key feature of the husbandry of many captive animals, especially ectotherms. Short wave infrared (IRA) is theoretically more efficient in raising animal core temperature than medium (IRB) and long wave infrared (IRC) as...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Crocodile & Alligator, Lizard, Reptile, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Choi, S. Y., Michaels, C. J., Free, D. et al. 2025. Effect of different infrared basking lamps on the heating effectiveness and desiccation of gelatine models: Implications for zoo animal husbandry. Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research 13(3), 164–172.

Reducing hormonal inputs in rabbit reproduction: Physical ovulation induction with a 3D-printed cannula

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 3D-printed cannula in inducing ovulation in female rabbits without exogenous GnRH analogues. A total of 325 inseminations were performed across different physiological stages: nulliparous, multiparous lactating, and multiparous non-lactating does. Two insemination methods...

Year Published: 2025Topics: ReproductionAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Castillo, J. J., Vicente, J. S., Marco-Jiménez, F. et al. 2025. Reducing hormonal inputs in rabbit reproduction: Physical ovulation induction with a 3D-printed cannula. Animals 15(17), 2544.

Behavioral and spatial analysis of a Symphalangus syndactylus pair in a controlled environment

For the effective management of captive animals, monitoring their behavior and interactions within the exhibit is essential. This approach provides insights into their welfare and helps identify behavioral differences compared to conspecifics in the wild. This ex situ study aimed...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Gibbon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Carpino, C., Castiglioni, R., Sacchet, E. et al. 2025. Behavioral and spatial analysis of a Symphalangus syndactylus pair in a controlled environment. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 6(2), 23.