Environmental Enrichment

Effects of cognitive enrichment on behavioural and physiological reactions of pigs

Cognitive enrichment, a special form of environmental enrichment, addresses the cognitive abilities of animals in captivity. Through cognitive interaction with the environment, the animals regain a certain control over their environment, and essential resources, such as food or water, act...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Zebunke, M., Puppe, B., Langbein, J. 2013. Effects of cognitive enrichment on behavioural and physiological reactions of pigs. Physiology & Behavior 118, 70-79.

Impact of nesting material on mouse body temperature and physiology

In laboratories, mice are housed at 20-24 °C, which is below their lower critical temperature (≈30 °C). Thus, mice are potentially cold stressed, which can alter metabolism, immune function, and reproduction. These physiological changes reflect impaired wellbeing, and affect scientific...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gaskill, B. N., Gordon, C. J., Davis, J. K. et al. 2013. Impact of nesting material on mouse body temperature and physiology. Physiology & Behavior 110, 87-95.

Effects of cage enrichment on heart rate, blood pressure, and activity of female Sprague-Dawley and spontaneously hypertensive rats at rest and after acute challenges

Here we sought to determine whether a nonsocial cage enrichment program, identical to one we previously used with male rats, was effective in reducing heart rate or systolic blood pressure (SBP) in female Sprague-Dawley rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR)....

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Azar, T. A., Sharp, J. L., Lawson, D. M. 2012. Effects of cage enrichment on heart rate, blood pressure, and activity of female Sprague-Dawley and spontaneously hypertensive rats at rest and after acute challenges. JAALAS 51(3), 339-344.

Effect of enrichment on the behaviour and growth of juvenile Xenopus laevis

Xenopus laevis is the most widely used model amphibian species in laboratories, yet there is almost no experimental evidence to guide best practice for captive housing. Enrichment is an important component of maintenance and welfare. A split-sibship experimental design was...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Archard, G. A. 2012. Effect of enrichment on the behaviour and growth of juvenile Xenopus laevis. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 39(3-4), 264-270.

Effects of environment and enrichment on the behavior and serum corticosterone levels in Xenopus laevis

Xenopus laevis is a commonly used research animal for which well accepted enrichment strategies have not been established. Our overall objective was to identify enrichment strategies that are most beneficial to Xenopus as a step toward creating housing standards that...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Scott, J. A., Taylor, D. 2013. Effects of environment and enrichment on the behavior and serum corticosterone levels in Xenopus laevis. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 662 (Abstract #P145).

Kidding around in the laboratory animal facility – Goat enrichment

Goat enrichment can be incredibly rewarding, not only for the goat, but for personnel as well. In our facility, we often refer to goatenrichment tasks as technician (or vet!) enrichment. Somewhere in the evolutionary development of Capra hircus, curiosity and...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Goat

Citation: Savage, S. 2013. Kidding around in the laboratory animal facility - Goat enrichment. Enrichment Record 14, 14-15.

Targeted approaches for enrichment: Nutrition offers many benefits for laboratory animals

The field of laboratory animal enrichment is continually evolving. New enrichment products, methodologies, and protocols are being developed, revised and updated daily, and for good reason: enrichment is a critical component to improving and maintaining the health and well-being of...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Palmer, J. 2013. Targeted approaches for enrichment: Nutrition offers many benefits for laboratory animals. Enrichment Record 17, 10-11.

Provision of environmental enrichment: Scientifically proven or use of common sense?

In an ideal world, of course, it would be nice to have the time and resources to prove everything scientifically and in many cases this is also the right approach. However, sometimes the use of common sense might be a...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental EnrichmentAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Ottesen, J. L. 2013. Provision of environmental enrichment: Scientifically proven or use of common sense? Enrichment Record 16, 5-8.

Environmental enrichment for Xenopus Laevis

Environmental enrichment has become an important aspect of animal care in research facilities over the years. It is easy to come up with enrichment for mice, rats, and other mammals; however, what do you get for enrichment for aquatics such...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, HousingAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Miller, S. 2013. Environmental enrichment for Xenopus Laevis. Enrichment Record 14, 12-13.

Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction (4th Ed)

Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction, Fourth Edition offers a user-friendly guide to the unique anatomy and physiology, care, common diseases, and treatment of small mammals and nonhuman primates. Carefully designed for ease of use, the book includes tip boxes,...

Year Published: 2013Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Regulations & Ethical Review, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Chinchilla, Ferret, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Hrapkiewicz, K., Colby, L. A., Denison, P. 2013. Clinical Laboratory Animal Medicine: An Introduction (4th Ed). Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, IA.