Husbandry & Management

Effects of human management events on conspecific aggression in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta)

Conspecific aggression in outdoor-housed rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) at primate research facilities is a leading source of trauma and can potentially influence animal wellbeing and research quality. Although aggression between macaques is a normal part of daily social interactions, human...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Theil, J. H., Beisner, B. A., Hill, A. E. et al. 2017. Effects of human management events on conspecific aggression in captive rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). JAALAS 56(2), 122-130.

A device that allows rodents to behaviorally thermoregulate when housed in vivariums

Laboratories and vivariums typically are maintained at ambient temperatures of 20 to 24 °C, leading to cold stress in mice. When mice are inactive and sleeping during the light phase, their zone of thermoneutrality associated with a basal metabolic rate...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rat, Rodent

Citation: Gordon, C. J., Puckett, E. T., Repasky, E. S. et al. 2017. A device that allows rodents to behaviorally thermoregulate when housed in vivariums. JAALAS 56(2), 173-176.

Effect of 2 bedding materials on ammonia levels in individually ventilated cages

This study sought to identify an optimal rodent bedding and cage-change interval to establish standard procedures for the IVC in our rodent vivarium. Disposable cages were prefilled with either corncob or α-cellulose bedding and were used to house 2 adult...

Year Published: 2016Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Koontz, J. M., Kumsher, D. M., Kelly, R. 3rd et al. 2016. Effect of 2 bedding materials on ammonia levels in individually ventilated cages. JAALAS 55(1), 25–28.

Effects of water bottle materials and filtration on bisphenol A content in laboratory animal drinking water

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that are found in laboratory animal husbandry materials including cages and water bottles. Concerns about BPA exposure in humans has led to investigations that suggest physiologic health...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Honeycutt, J. A., Nguyen, J. Q. T., Kentner, A. C. et al. 2017. Effects of water bottle materials and filtration on bisphenol A content in laboratory animal drinking water. JAALAS 56(3), 269-272.

Effects of intracage ammonia on markers of pulmonary endothelial integrity in mice housed in static microisolation cages

Time-weighted exposure limits to ammonia are established for humans; however similar guidelines have not been defined for laboratory rodents. The Guide recommends maintaining air pollutants at concentrations below levels irritating to mucous membranes but does not provide specific values. Numerous...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Eichner, M., Purcell, J. E., Fortman, J. D. 2018. Effects of intracage ammonia on markers of pulmonary endothelial integrity in mice housed in static microisolation cages. JAALAS 57(1), 18-23.

Effects of an extended cage-change interval on ammonia levels and reproduction in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Prompted by the cage cleanliness of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus), we evaluated a prolonged cage-change interval. We compared the effects of a 2-wk and 6-wk cage-change schedule on ammonia levels, temperature, humidity, and reproductive performance in breeding pairs housed in...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Gerbil, Rodent

Citation: McCullagh, E. A., McCullagh, P., Klug, A. et al. 2017. Effects of an extended cage-change interval on ammonia levels and reproduction in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). JAALAS 56(6), 713-717.

PCR testing of IVC filter tops as a method for detecting murine pinworms and fur mites

We evaluated PCR testing of filter tops from cages maintained on an IVC system through which exhaust air is filtered at the cage level as a method for detecting parasite-infected and -infested cages. Cages containing 4 naïve Swiss Webster mice...

Year Published: 2017Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gerwin, P. M., Ricart Arbona, R. J., Riedel, E. R. et al. 2017. PCR testing of IVC filter tops as a method for detecting murine pinworms and fur mites. JAALAS 56(6), 752-761.

Effects of various cleaning agents on the performance of mice in behavioral assays of anxiety

Cleaning behavioral equipment between rodent subjects is important to prevent disease transmission and reduce odor cues from previous subjects. However, the reporting regarding the cleansing procedures used during such experiments is sporadic and often incomplete. In addition, some investigators are...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Hershey, J. D., Gifford, J. J., Zizza, L. J. et al. 2018. Effects of various cleaning agents on the performance of mice in behavioral assays of anxiety. JAALAS 57(4), 335-339.

Effects of nesting material on the toxicologic assessment of cyclophosphamide in Crl:CD1(ICR) mice

The provision of nesting material benefits mice by reducing cold stress, improving feed conversion, increasing litter size, and improving adaptive immunity. The effects of toxins are sensitive to environmental changes, and the introduction of novel items can alter results in...

Year Published: 2018Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Brochu, C. P., Winnicker, C. L., Provencher, A. L. et al. 2018. Effects of nesting material on the toxicologic assessment of cyclophosphamide in Crl:CD1(ICR) mice. JAALAS 57(4), 340-349.

Refinement of perioperative feeding in a mouse model of vertical sleeve gastrectomy

Provision of liquid enteral nutrition (LEN) during the perioperative period is standard practice for rodents undergoing bariatric surgery, yet these diets are associated with several challenges, including coagulation of the liquid diet within the delivery system and decreased postoperative consumption....

Year Published: 2018Topics: Disease/Experimental Model, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Doerning, C. M., Burlingame, L. A., Lewis, A. G. et al. 2018. Refinement of perioperative feeding in a mouse model of vertical sleeve gastrectomy. JAALAS 57(3), 295-301.