Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement

Glucocorticoid metabolites in rabbit faeces – Influence of environmental enrichment and cage size

The concentration of glucocorticoid metabolites (GCM) in rabbit faeces has been suggested as a non-invasive indicator of stress. In the present study, GCM concentrations were measured in faeces of fattening rabbits kept in groups of eight, at seven different stocking...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Buijs, S., Maertens, L., Tuyttens, F. A. M. et al. 2011. Glucocorticoid metabolites in rabbit faeces - Influence of environmental enrichment and cage size. Physiology & Behavior 104(3), 469-473.

The choice of bedding substrate, route of blood collection, and method of glucose determination all affect fasting blood glucose levels in C57BL/6 mice

This study compared 4 bedding substrates (corncob, paper, hardwood chip, and wire-bottomed cage inserts) and 2 routes of blood collection (lateral tail vein and retroorbital sinus) in 6 male C57BL/6NCrl mice. Mice were maintained with ad libitum food and water...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Zahorsky-Reeves, J. 2011. The choice of bedding substrate, route of blood collection, and method of glucose determination all affect fasting blood glucose levels in C57BL/6 mice. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 738 (Abstract #PS80).

Training rhesus macaques for conscious blood sampling in six steps

Step 1 Gently squeeze the animal about halfway towards you. Hold the animal in place for about 1 to 2 seconds.We use this time to talk to the animal calmly in a gentle voice. When the time is up, release...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Weissman-Socci, S., Ray, K. D. 2011. Training rhesus macaques for conscious blood sampling in six steps. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 16(6), 3.

Training time required to collect a variety of biological samples using primarily positive reinforcement training methods

Positive reinforcement training (PRT) methods can be applied to gain the voluntary cooperation of laboratory primates with the collection of biological samples. Information will be provided on training techniques used and the amount of training time required for various sample...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Chimpanzee, Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Bloomsmith, M., Franklin, A., Neu, K. et al. 2013. Training time required to collect a variety of biological samples using primarily positive reinforcement training methods. American Journal of Primatology 75(S1), 65. (36th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #112)

Operant conditioning with laboratory beagles

There is increased regulatory emphasis on positive reinforcement training for husbandry, research procedures, and restraint devices. We practice acclimation, association, and positive reinforcement training with our beagle colony with goals to reduce stress for dogs and improve efficiency for personnel....

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Handling, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Savastano, G. M. 2013. Operant conditioning with laboratory beagles. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 619 (Abstract #PS57).

Validation of a refined technique for taking repeated blood samples from juvenile and adult mice

Repeated blood sampling from laboratory animals is desirable in certain experimental designs and also for reducing the number of animals used in research. Biochemical methods for analysing blood samples require only small blood volumes to be collected (typically 20-40 μL)....

Year Published: 2013Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Sadler, A. M., Bailey, S. J. 2013. Validation of a refined technique for taking repeated blood samples from juvenile and adult mice. Laboratory Animals 47(4), 316-319.

The effects of operant training on blood collection for domestic cats

The impact of operantly training domestic cats to accept jugular blood collections in a dorsally recumbent (novel) position was assessed. Cats were assigned to one of three groups: Group 1 (N = 14): no training, traditional jugular blood collection; Group...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Animal Training, Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Lockhart, J., Wilson, K., Lanman, C. 2013. The effects of operant training on blood collection for domestic cats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 143(2-4), 128-134.

Hormonal stress response of laboratory mice to conventional and minimally invasive bleeding techniques

Conventional bleeding of small laboratory animals is often associated with stress and injuries that can cause haematomas, inflammation and ultimately the death of animals under investigation. Here, we used faecal glucocorticoid metabolites as an indicator of stress imposed on laboratory...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Voigt, C. C., Klockner, P., Touma, C. et al. 2013. Hormonal stress response of laboratory mice to conventional and minimally invasive bleeding techniques. Animal Welfare 22(4), 449-455.

Impact of blood sampling procedures on the welfare of laboratory mice

A previous study showed that blood sampling either automatically, through a catheter, or by puncture of the tail vein is less stressful than facial vein phlebotomy in mice. We decided to investigate how facial vein phlebotomy would affect animal welfare...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Teilmann, A. C., Madsen, A. N., Holst, B. et al. 2014. Impact of blood sampling procedures on the welfare of laboratory mice. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 600-601. (Abstract #P195).

The social buffering effect of playful handling on responses to repeated intraperitoneal injections in laboratory rats

Handling small animals for veterinary and experimental procedures can negatively affect animal wellbeing. We hypothesized that playful handling (tickling) would decrease stress associated with repeated injections in adult laboratory rats, especially those with prior tickling experience. We compared responses of...

Year Published: 2014Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Cloutier, S., Wahl, K., Baker, C. et al. 2014. The social buffering effect of playful handling on responses to repeated intraperitoneal injections in laboratory rats. JAALAS 53(2), 168-173.