Why every scientist should care about animal welfare: Abnormal repetitive behavior and brain function in captive animals (2002)

Garner, J. P.

Abstract

Barren laboratory housing also induces abnormal behaviors in many species, particularly stereotypies, fur and feather plucking, and self-mutilation. Similar behaviors in human mental disorder are correlated with dysfunction in brain areas that control the selection and sequencing of behavior. Experiments in several captive species will be reviewed, showing the same behaviors correlate with dysfunction in the same brain areas. For instance, in laboratory mice: like stereotypy in autism and schizophrenia, stereotypy correlates with impairments of basal ganglia function; and like hair pulling in trichotillomania and autism, barbering (hair plucking) correlates with impairments of prefrontal cortex function. Therefore, far from standardizing laboratory animals, barren environments may induce severe brain abnormalities. These abnormalities call the validity of a wide range of experiments into question. Limits of current knowledge and pressing research directions will be identified. In particular, enrichments that prevent these behaviors may reduce variability between animals and produce animals that are better models of normal function. Thus, enrichment may actually improve the standardization of research animals and refine current animal models. In short, 'good welfare is good science'.