Environmental Enrichment

Dissociable effects of isolation rearing and environmental enrichment onexploration, spatial learning and HPA activity in adult rats

Environmental enrichment, regardless of social background, primarily accelerated habituation to novelty and improved spatial learning and memory.

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Schrijver, N. C., Bahr, N. I., Weiss, I. C. et al. 2002. Dissociable effects of isolation rearing and environmental enrichment onexploration, spatial learning and HPA activity in adult rats. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 73, 209-224.

Using a toy rotation scheme to enhance canine enrichment

Our approach was to design a toy rotation scheme that would provide each dog with a different toy on a weekly basis. .. At the end of a 2-month evaluation period, only 4 out of the 9 toys (Dental Ball,...

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Dog

Citation: Rukavina, G. M., Young, J. D., Grant, M. G. 2002. Using a toy rotation scheme to enhance canine enrichment. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 41(4), 118 (Abstract).

An overview of a ferret enrichment program

We recently added playtime to the environmental enrichment program in which all ferrets are given free access within the animal room for approximately one hour per day. ... Our ferrets have access to mazes, empty feed bags, and numerous toys...

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Ferret

Citation: Ruffo, K., Lang, R. K., Spolowitz, M. et al. 2002. An overview of a ferret enrichment program. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 41(4), 119-120 (Abstract).

An assessment of several potential enrichment devices for feedlot cattle

The enrichment devices consisted of a scratching/rubbing walkway, a moveable scratching/rubbing device, a milk-scent releasing device, a lavender-scent releasing device and a control non-scented device. The scratching/rubbing devices had higher durations and frequencies of use than the scent devices (P

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Cattle

Citation: Wilson, S. C., Mitlohner, F. M., Morrow-Tesch, J. et al. 2002. An assessment of several potential enrichment devices for feedlot cattle. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 76, 259-265.

Guinea pig enrichment

Some feeding and inanimate enrichment options are listed.

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Guinea Pig, Rodent

Citation: White, E., Hartner, M. 2002. Guinea pig enrichment. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 7(1), 7.

Intervention with environmental enrichment after experimental brain trauma enhances cognitive recovery in male but not female rats

Motor function was assessed both pre-injury and for the first 5 days after injury. Spatial memory was assessed beginning 14 days after injury.Placement in an EE [environmental enrichment] after TBI [traumatic brain injury] enhanced spatial memory performance in male but...

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Wagner, A. K., Kline, A. E., Sokoloski, J. et al. 2002. Intervention with environmental enrichment after experimental braintrauma enhances cognitive recovery in male but not female rats. Neuroscience Letters 334, 165-168.

The effects of environmental enrichment on murine immune response

Breeding pairs in cages that included enrichment (nestlets, jars, a ladder) had significantly fewer litter than the pairs in cages that did not (p

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: VandeWound, S., Rollin, M., Avery, A. 2002. The effects of environmental enrichment on murine immune response. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 41(4), 69 (Abstract).

Influence of cage enrichment on aggressive behaviour and physiological parameters in male mice

From welfare perspective group housing of mice is preferred over individual housing. Group housing of male laboratory mice, however, often leads to problems due to excessive aggressive behaviour. ... Overall, nesting material reduced aggressive behaviour, while a shelter increased aggressive...

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van Loo, P. L. P., Kruitwagen, C. L. J. J., Koolhaas, J. M. et al. 2002. Influence of cage enrichment on aggressive behaviour and physiological parameters in male mice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 76, 65-81.

Effectiveness of enrichment devices during brief periods of social restriction in singly housed baboons

Data were collected on the animals' (three singly caged adult males) daily biscuit intake and activity levels as well as log activity prior to, during, and following social restriction (housed in separate room in which no other animals are present),...

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Baboon, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Hienz, R. D., Jones, A., Pyle, D. A. et al. 2002. Effectiveness of enrichment devices during brief periods of social restriction in singly housed baboons. Laboratory Primate Newsletter 41(3), 1-3.

Effects of environmental enrichment for mice: Variation in experimental results

Mice from enriched conditions [sawdust bedding, paper, nest box, climbing gird, gnawing blocks, tubes] weight more and consumed more food than mice from standard housing conditions. ... Mice from standard housing conditions were more active in an open field, suggesting...

Year Published: 2002Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Van de Weerd, H. A., Aarsen, E. L., Mulder, A. et al. 2002. Effects of environmental enrichment for mice: Variation in experimental results. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 5, 87-109.