External Bodily Equipment

3D-printed lightweight dorsal skin fold chambers from PEEK reduce chamber-related animal distress

The dorsal skinfold chamber is one of the most important in vivo models for repetitive longitudinal assessment of microcirculation and inflammation. This study aimed to refine this model by introducing a new lightweight chamber made from polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Body weight,...

Year Published: 2022Topics: External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Xie, W., Lorenz, M., Poosch, F. et al. 2022. 3D-printed lightweight dorsal skin fold chambers from PEEK reduce chamber-related animal distress. Scientific Reports 12(1), 11599.

Non invasive jacketed telemetry in socially-housed rats for a combined assessment of respiratory system, electrocardiogram and activity using the DECRO system

Respiratory and cardiovascular systems are among the vital organ systems that should be studied in safety pharmacology core battery test. Non-invasive jacketed external telemetry technology that enables concomitant monitoring of both systems has been available and used widely for non-rodent...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Fares, R., Flénet, T., Vial, J. et al. 2022. Non invasive jacketed telemetry in socially-housed rats for a combined assessment of respiratory system, electrocardiogram and activity using the DECRO system. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 117, 107195.

The promise of behavioral tracking systems for advancing primate animal welfare

Recent years have witnessed major advances in the ability of computerized systems to track the positions of animals as they move through large and unconstrained environments. These systems have so far been a great boon in the fields of primatology,...

Year Published: 2022Topics: External Bodily Equipment, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Knaebe, B., Weiss, C. C., Zimmermann, J. et al. 2022. The promise of behavioral tracking systems for advancing primate animal welfare. Animals 12(13), 1648.

Comparative assessment of heart rate variability obtained via ambulatory ECG and polar heart rate monitors in healthy cats: A pilot study

Chronic exposure to stressful environments can negatively impact cats' health and welfare, affecting behavioral, autonomic, endocrine, and immune function, as with cats in shelters. Low-stress handling practices likely improve shelter cat welfare, but data supporting improved outcomes remain limited. Cardiac...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Grigg, E. K., Ueda, Y., Walker, A. L. et al. 2021. Comparative assessment of heart rate variability obtained via ambulatory ECG and polar heart rate monitors in healthy cats: A pilot study. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8, 741583.

Refinements in head plate mouse nesting: Using composite nests to enhance welfare

When given the opportunity, mice will choose to build nests using multiple different materials. Studies indicate that providing mice with choices which mimic the natural environment allows laboratory mice to build the best quality nests and mice have also been...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental Enrichment, External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Windsor, Z. 2021. Refinements in head plate mouse nesting: Using composite nests to enhance welfare. Animal Technology and Welfare 20(2), 135-141.

A novel miniaturized biosensor for monitoring Atlantic salmon swimming activity and respiratory frequency

The advanced development of sensor technologies has led to the emergence of fish biosensors that are currently used for research and commercial purposes. AEFishBIT is a miniaturized biosensor attached to fish operculum that measures physical activity and respiration frequencies. In...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, External Bodily Equipment, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Fish, Salmon

Citation: Kolarevic, J., Calduch-Giner, J., Espmark, Å. M. et al. 2021. A novel miniaturized biosensor for monitoring Atlantic salmon swimming activity and respiratory frequency. Animals 11(8), 2403.

Effects of pair housing on patency of jugular catheters in rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Chronic vascular access devices are widely used in a variety of species for repeated blood sampling or substance administration. Jugular catheters are commonly used for studying addiction-related behaviors in rats. Rats with catheters have historically been individually housed for the...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Cannulation, Catheterization, & Intubation, External Bodily Equipment, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Krueger, L. D., Chang, S. E., Motoc, M. et al. 2021. Effects of pair housing on patency of jugular catheters in rats (Rattus norvegicus). JAALAS 60(3), 357-364.

Social-housing and use of double-decker cages in rat telemetry studies

Rat telemetry is widely used for biomedical research purposes and is used routinely in early pre-clinical drug development to screen for the potential cardiovascular risk of candidate drugs. Historically, these studies have been conducted in individually housed conditions which can...

Year Published: 2019Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, External Bodily Equipment, Housing, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Skinner, M., Ceuppens, P., White, P. et al. 2019. Social-housing and use of double-decker cages in rat telemetry studies. Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods 96, 87-94.

Individually customisable non-invasive head immobilisation system for non-human primates with an option for voluntary engagement

Background: Head immobilisation is often necessary for neuroscientific procedures. A number of Non-invasive Head Immobilisation Systems (NHIS) for monkeys are available, but the need remains for a feasible integrated system combining a broad range of essential features. New Method: We...

Year Published: 2016Topics: External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Slater, H., Milne, A. E., Wilson, B. et al. 2016. Individually customisable non-invasive head immobilisation system for non-human primates with an option for voluntary engagement. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 269, 46-60.

Protective cranial implant caps for macaques

Background: Neuroscience studies with macaque monkeys may require cranial implants to stabilize the head or gain access to the brain for scientific purposes. Wound management that promotes healing after the cranial implant surgery in non-human primates can be difficult as...

Year Published: 2021Topics: External Bodily EquipmentAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Perry, B. A. L., Mason, S., Nacef, J. et al. 2021. Protective cranial implant caps for macaques. Journal of Neuroscience Methods 348, 108992.