Publications

The stress of being alone: Removal from the colony, but not social subordination, increases fecal cortisol metabolite levels in eusocial naked mole-rats

In many social species, hierarchical status within the group is associated with differences in basal adrenocortical activity. We examined this relationship in naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber), eusocial rodents with arguably the most extreme social hierarchies of all mammals. This species...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Edwards, P. D., Mooney, S. J., Bosson, C. O. et al. 2020. The stress of being alone: Removal from the colony, but not social subordination, increases fecal cortisol metabolite levels in eusocial naked mole-rats. Hormones and Behavior 121, 104720.

“Killing in the name of 3R?” The ethics of death in animal research

Changing relationships with nonhuman animals have led to important modifications in animal welfare legislations, including the protection of animal life. However, animal research regulations are largely based on welfarist assumptions, neglecting the idea that death can constitute a harm to...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Euthanasia, Regulations & Ethical ReviewAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Persson, K., Rodriguez Perez, C., Louis-Maerten, E. et al. 2024. “Killing in the name of 3R?” The ethics of death in animal research. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 38(1), 4.

Forage, freedom of movement, and social interactions remain essential fundamentals for the welfare of high-level sport horses

Societal concerns for animal welfare extend to all domestic species, including high-level sport horses. The welfare of these horses, notably highlighted during the recent Olympics, has garnered significant public interest, prompting inquiries into their living conditions. Animal welfare studies have...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Phelipon, R., Hennes, N., Ruet, A. et al. 2024. Forage, freedom of movement, and social interactions remain essential fundamentals for the welfare of high-level sport horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11.

Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria

Zebrafish are widely used in research, accounting for approximately 50% of all laboratory fish across Europe. Due to their rapid reproduction and aging, effective and practical euthanasia methods are necessary for managing large stocks. This study investigated whether adult zebrafish...

Year Published: 2025Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Saarinen, U., Sundell, E., Sneddon, L. et al. 2025. Novel euthanasia technique for zebrafish using electric shock in standard group housing aquaria. Scientific Reports 15(1), 3011.

Shifts in naturalistic behaviors induced by early social isolation stress are associated with adult binge-like eating in female rats

Binge eating (BE) is a highly pervasive maladaptive coping strategy in response to severe early life stress such as emotional and social neglect. BE is described as repeated episodes of uncontrolled eating and is tightly linked with comorbid mental health...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Simon, T. B., Sierra, J., Williams, A. et al. 2024. Shifts in naturalistic behaviors induced by early social isolation stress are associated with adult binge-like eating in female rats. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 18.

A bibliometric analysis of studies on environmental enrichment spanning 1967–2024: Patterns and trends over the years

Environmental Enrichment (EE) has received considerable attention for its potential to enhance cognitive and neurobiological outcomes in animal models. This bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive evaluation of the EE research spanning from 1967 to 2024, utilizing data extracted from Scopus...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Singhal, G., Baune, B. T. 2024. A bibliometric analysis of studies on environmental enrichment spanning 1967–2024: Patterns and trends over the years. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience 18.

Testing perioperative meloxicam analgesia to enhance welfare while preserving model validity in an inflammation-induced seizure model

Despite the international effort to improve laboratory animal welfare through the 3R principles (Reduce, Refine, Replace), many scientists still fail to implement and report their assessment of pain and well-being, likely due to concerns regarding the potential effects of analgesics...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Analgesia, Disease/Experimental Model, Surgery & Post-OpAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Weiß, E., Pauletti, A., Egilmez, A. et al. 2024. Testing perioperative meloxicam analgesia to enhance welfare while preserving model validity in an inflammation-induced seizure model. Scientific Reports 14(1), 30563.

Investigating the effect a single dose of cannabidiol has on measures of stress in cats when being transported in a carrier and meeting a novel person in an unfamiliar environment

Domestic cats (Felis Catus) are often exposed to stimuli that have the potential to negatively impact their welfare. These can include situations such as veterinary visits, travel, changes to their home environment, and interactions with unfamiliar people or pets. Cannabidiol...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Weller, J. E., Flint, H. E., Hunt, A. B. G. et al. 2024. Investigating the effect a single dose of cannabidiol has on measures of stress in cats when being transported in a carrier and meeting a novel person in an unfamiliar environment. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11.

Less activity means improved welfare? How pair housing influences pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) behaviour

The activity level and specific behaviours exhibited by captive animals are crucial indicators of welfare. Stereotypies, or repetitive behaviours that have no apparent function or goal, are performed by animals experiencing poor conditions in their environment and indicate welfare concerns....

Year Published: 2024Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Bird, Other Bird

Citation: Wolff, L. M., Stevens, J. R. 2024. Less activity means improved welfare? How pair housing influences pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) behaviour. Animal Welfare 33, e49.

Study of tree shrew biology and models: A booming and prosperous field for biomedical research

The tree shrew ( Tupaia belangeri) has long been proposed as a suitable alternative to non-human primates (NHPs) in biomedical and laboratory research due to its close evolutionary relationship with primates. In recent years, significant advances have facilitated tree shrew...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Natural BehaviorAnimal Type: Tree Shrew

Citation: Yao, Y.-G., Lu, L., Ni, R.-J. et al. 2024. Study of tree shrew biology and models: A booming and prosperous field for biomedical research. Zoological Research 45(4), 877–909.