Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement

Non-contact vital signs monitoring of dog and cat using a UWB radar

As pets are considered members of the family, their health has received widespread attention. Since pets cannot talk and complain when they feel uncomfortable, monitoring vital signs becomes very helpful in disease detection, as well as observing their progression and...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, External Bodily Equipment, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat, Dog

Citation: Wang, P., Ma, Y., Liang, F. et al. 2020. Non-contact vital signs monitoring of dog and cat using a UWB radar. Animals 10(2), 205.

Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical function in female domestic pigs using saliva and faeces as sample matrices

Intensive pig management involves in a commercial setting the housing and implementation of certain procedures, such as castration and tail docking, which may be stressful for the animal. Good farming practices include the reduction of stress due to management processes,...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Wolf, T. E., Mangwiro, N., Fasina, F. O. et al. 2020. Non-invasive monitoring of adrenocortical function in female domestic pigs using saliva and faeces as sample matrices. PLOS ONE 15(6): e0234971.

Noninvasive multielectrode array for brain and spinal cord local field potential recordings from live zebrafish larvae

Zebrafish are an important and expanding experimental system for brain research. We describe a noninvasive electrophysiology technique that can be used in living larvae to measure spontaneous activity in the brain and spinal cord simultaneously. This easy-to-use method uses a...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Tomasello, D. L., Sive, H. 2020. Noninvasive multielectrode array for brain and spinal cord local field potential recordings from live zebrafish larvae. Zebrafish 17(4), 271-277.

Novel bleeding techniques in hamsters

Hamsters have historically been used in our pharmacokinetic (PK) studies using the retro-orbital (RO) bleeding technique to collect blood samples. If performed incorrectly, this technique has the potential for animal welfare complications not usually seen with other phlebotomy methods. Our...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Hamster, Rodent

Citation: Filliettaz, C., Maxwell, L., Dragon, M. et al. 2020. Novel bleeding techniques in hamsters. Laboratory Animal Science Professional 8(1) (January/February), 44-46.

In-Homecage Blood Collection from Conscious Stumptailed Macaques

Six adult female stumptailed macaques (Macaca aretoides) were trained within a two week period to actively co-operate during in-homecage venipuncture rather than in a restraint apparatus away from the homecage. The training was based on consistent firmness, gentleness and patience....

Year Published: 1992Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Reinhardt, V., Cowley, D. (1992). In-Homecage Blood Collection from Conscious Stumptailed Macaques. Animal Welfare, 1(4), 249–255.

Thermoneutral environment improves mouse welfare and reduces stress in metabolic cages

Metabolic cages (MCs) are often used to collect feces and urine samples. However, the housing of mice in MCs can be stressful, potentially affecting parameters of interest. Here we compare our standard protocol for individual MC housing (4 days at 23 °C:...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Villiger, P., Calvet, C., Pastor-Arroyo, E. M. et al. 2025. Thermoneutral environment improves mouse welfare and reduces stress in metabolic cages. Lab Animal 54(11), 303–312.

Accuracy of smartwatches for measuring heart rate and oxygen saturation in cynomolgus macaques compared to clinical standards

Continuous monitoring of physiological parameters in non-human primates (NHPs) necessitates a precise, non-invasive, and convenient method. This study aimed to validate the use of smartwatches with integrated pulse oximetry and heart rate (HR) monitoring capabilities for use in NHPs. Currently,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological MeasurementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Tiplady, M., Douchant, K., Winterborn, A. N. 2025. Accuracy of smartwatches for measuring heart rate and oxygen saturation in cynomolgus macaques compared to clinical standards. Laboratory Animals 59(4), 508–517.

Managed care of naked mole-rats

Naked mole-rats are a burgeoning model species in the field of biomedical research and are also housed at many zoos throughout the world. These mammals possess many traits that have a large impact on the way that they are kept...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Identification Method, Rearing & Weaning, Relocation & Transport, Reproduction, Restraint, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Smith, M., Buffenstein, R. 2021. Managed care of naked mole-rats. In: R. Buffenstein, T. J. Park, M. M. Holmes (Eds.), The Extraordinary Biology of the Naked Mole-Rat. Springer International Publishing, pp. 381–407.

Innovative cage-based technique for mouse urine collection

Accurate and humane collection of mouse urine samples is crucial for research studies and health monitoring of laboratory mouse colonies. Conventional methods may stress animals and compromise sample quality. To address these challenges, we developed a natural and animal-friendly approach...

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

Citation: Huang, J., Wang, Y., Gao, Y. et al. 2025. Innovative cage-based technique for mouse urine collection. Laboratory Animals 59(4), 464–470.

The use of vascular access buttons for drug administration and blood sampling in the rabbit

This poster discusses the challenges of blood collection in rabbits for pharmacokinetic (PK) and Pharmacodynamic (PD) studies and presents alternative solutions using vascular access devices.

Year Published: 2025Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Cannulation, Catheterization, & IntubationAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Hale, E., Gittins, K., Jones, J. et al. 2025. The use of vascular access buttons for drug administration and blood sampling in the rabbit. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 180–182.