Publications

The impact of light-dark cycles and caging-systems on behavior and corticosterone excretion in the naked mole rat.

The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber) (NMR) is increasingly becoming an important animal model in biomedical research. Housing NMR optimally in captivity is therefore important. The present study was designed to establish the effects of varying photoperiods and cage designs...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Mwobobia, R., Kanui, T., Abelson, K. 2025. The impact of light-dark cycles and caging-systems on behavior and corticosterone excretion in the naked mole rat. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science 51, 38–50.

Effects of hand-rearing and group size on chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) social competence in captivity

The behavior of individual animals reflects both internal states and external context. For captive animals, their early life experiences can influence later adjustment, particularly their social competence. In addition, the way in which they are housed and their current social...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Murray, L. E. 2026. Effects of hand-rearing and group size on chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) social competence in captivity. Animals 16(2).

The enriched mind: Cognitive stimulation and behavior in non-human primates

Non-human primates (NHPs) possess high cognitive abilities that enable them to respond effectively to complex social, ecological, and psychological challenges. These abilities need to be stimulated in non-human primates under human care in zoos, conservation centers/sanctuaries, or research facilities, where...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Gibbon, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Whittaker, A. L., Coria-Avila, G. A. et al. 2025. The enriched mind: Cognitive stimulation and behavior in non-human primates. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Effects of natural and artificial shade on behavior, physiology, and productivity in water buffalo: A narrative review

Although water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are a species known for their adaptability to different environments, their anatomical characteristics make them susceptible to heat stress in hot-humid climate conditions. In productive systems, the provision of natural or artificial shade is an...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Mota-Rojas, D., Lanzoni, L., Fernandes Bettencourt, A. et al. 2026. Effects of natural and artificial shade on behavior, physiology, and productivity in water buffalo: A narrative review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 13.

Efficacy and adverse effects of three delivery methods for aerosolized salbutamol in anesthetized European moose (Alces alces alces): A case series

Wild and captive European moose (Alces alces alces) are routinely anesthetized with drug combinations including alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonists, dissociative anesthetics, and opioids. Reportedly, severe respiratory depression, ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) mismatch, and hypoxemia are common complications in this species, requiring perianesthetic oxygen...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Morelli, J., Hoby, S., Heiderich, E. et al. 2026. Efficacy and adverse effects of three delivery methods for aerosolized salbutamol in anesthetized European moose (Alces alces alces): A case series. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 68(1), 11.

Musical stimulation in lactating sows affects pre-weaning piglet mortality and maternal behavior

Functional veterinary music, defined as music specifically designed in its tempo, rhythm, harmonic structure, and frequency ranges to modulate animal emotional states and behavior, has emerged as an innovative strategy for managing lactating sows. Exposure to functional music in other...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Montoya-Zuluaga, J., Álvarez-Hernández, N., Betancourth-Chaves, P. et al. 2026. Musical stimulation in lactating sows affects pre-weaning piglet mortality and maternal behavior. Scientific Reports 16(1), 4049.

Video based heart rate detection in unrestrained laboratory rats: A feasibility analysis

Continuous monitoring of vital signs in laboratory animals is often essential for reliable scientific results and severity assessment. It still depends on invasive approaches such as transponder implementation, which affect the animals well-being. To minimize this impact, a camera-based method...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Monissen, J., Mösch, L., Monissen, M. et al. 2025. Video based heart rate detection in unrestrained laboratory rats: A feasibility analysis. Scientific Reports 15(1), 37935.

Nondestructive larval genotyping of Danio rerio for mitochondrial and nuclear DNA genetics

The rapid advancement of nuclear and mitochondrial genomic editing tools has created an urgent need for efficient, nonlethal larval genotyping methods in zebrafish (Danio rerio) research. This study optimizes and validates a nondestructive proteinase K digestion method for mitochondrial and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Body Modification/MutilationAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Mitra, K. S., Holmberg, S. R., Mota, M. et al. 2025. Nondestructive larval genotyping of Danio rerio for mitochondrial and nuclear DNA genetics. Zebrafish 22(6), 197–207.

Temperature-dependence of early development of zebrafish and the consequences for laboratory use and animal welfare

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are widely used in biological research, but the impact of incubation temperatures on developmental endpoints is still insufficiently studied. This study quantifies developmental differences in zebrafish embryos incubated at 26°C and 28°C, focusing on key endpoints (heartbeat...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Miller, A., Schröder, K. L., Braun, K. E. et al. 2025. Temperature-dependence of early development of zebrafish and the consequences for laboratory use and animal welfare. PLOS ONE 20(12), e0340193.

The successful introduction of an early rabbit to human habituation programme to reduce stress and aggressive behaviour

Rabbits as a species, are naturally overly sensitive to stress which is a source of concern and consideration for the use in research settings; both in terms of their interaction with humans, and in terms of the quality of the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Human-Animal Interaction, Rearing & WeaningAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Mikkelsen, L. F., Rudolph, T., Ganivet, I. et al. 2025. The successful introduction of an early rabbit to human habituation programme to reduce stress and aggressive behaviour. Scandinavian Journal of Laboratory Animal Science 51, 33–37.