Husbandry & Management

The effects of sanded (bottom only) perches on finch feet

Birds that are kept in captivity often require nail trims, presumably due to the lack of opportunity to wear the nails down on natural substrates. For many birds, restraint for the nail trim may result in increased stress. In an...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Bird, Finch

Citation: Sheets, M. D., Lindstrom, K. E., Carbone, L. G. 2011. The effects of sanded (bottom only) perches on finch feet. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 779 (Abstract #P157).

Serotonin transporter genotype x construction stress interaction in rats

A well-known example for gene x environment interactions in psychiatry is the one involving the low activity (s) allelic variant of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) that in the context of stress increases risk for depression. In analogy,...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Rat, Rodent

Citation: Schipper, P., Nonkes, L. J., Karel, P. et al. 2011. Serotonin transporter genotype x construction stress interaction in rats. Behavioural Brain Research 223(1), 169-175.

Environmental enrichment program in transgenic mouse breeding colonies

Results of studies on the benefits of environmental enrichment in group-housed mice and breeding colonies are often inconsistent and conflicting. After observing a significant drop in some of the genetically engineered mice (GEM) breeding colonies during a major construction project...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Reed, M., Goldsteen, D. L., Moore, E. et al. 2011. Environmental enrichment program in transgenic mouse breeding colonies. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 779 (Abstract #P160).

Does structural enrichment for the toxicology studies improve zebrafish welfare?

Enrichment of the environment for captive animals is aimed at producing beneficial effects on the behaviour and physiology of relevant species, and is commonly used to reduce harmful social behaviours and stereotypies. However, little work has been undertaken to develop...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Wilkes L, Owen SF, Readman GD, et al. 2012. Does structural enrichment for the toxicology studies improve zebrafish welfare? Applied Animal Behaviour Science 139(1-2), 143-150.

Socialization strategies and disease transmission in captive colonies of nonhuman primates

In captive research environments for nonhuman primates (NHP), social housing strategies are often in conflict with protocols designed to minimize disease transmission. This is particularly true in breeding colonies, and is especially relevant when attempting to eliminate specific pathogens from...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Husbandry & Management, Social Housing & CompanionshipAnimal Type: Baboon, Capuchin, Chimpanzee, Lemur, Macaque, Marmoset, Nonhuman Primate, Other Nonhuman Primate, Owl Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Vervet (African Green Monkey)

Citation: Schapiro, S. J., Bernacky, B. J. 2011. Socialization strategies and disease transmission in captive colonies of nonhuman primates. American Journal of Primatology 74(6), 518-527.

The choice of bedding substrate, route of blood collection, and method of glucose determination all affect fasting blood glucose levels in C57BL/6 mice

This study compared 4 bedding substrates (corncob, paper, hardwood chip, and wire-bottomed cage inserts) and 2 routes of blood collection (lateral tail vein and retroorbital sinus) in 6 male C57BL/6NCrl mice. Mice were maintained with ad libitum food and water...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Zahorsky-Reeves, J. 2011. The choice of bedding substrate, route of blood collection, and method of glucose determination all affect fasting blood glucose levels in C57BL/6 mice. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 738 (Abstract #PS80).

An effective, economical method of reducing environmental noise in the vivarium

High levels of ambient noise can have detrimental effects on laboratory animal wellbeing and may affect experimental results. In addition, excessive noise can reduce technician comfort and performance. This study was performed to determine whether inexpensive, passive acoustic noise abatement...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Young, M. T., French, A. L., Clymer, J. W. 2011. An effective, economical method of reducing environmental noise in the vivarium. JAALAS 50(4), 513-515.

The use of bedding for groups of rhesus macaques

The use of substrate can have benefits to group housed macaques, including decreased aggression and increased foraging. Still, in some facilities, the use of bedding is perceived as time intensive and costly. In this study, we examined the use of...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Macaque, Nonhuman Primate

Citation: Andrews, K., Morelli, N., Ruesterholz, E. et al. 2012. The use of bedding for groups of rhesus macaques. American Journal of Primatology 74(S1), 69. (35th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #138)

Heat or insulation: Behavioral titration of mouse preference for warmth or access to a nest

In laboratories, mice are housed at 20-24C, which is below their lower critical temperature (30C). This increased thermal stress has the potential to alter scientific outcomes. Nesting material should allow for improved behavioral thermoregulation and thus alleviate this thermal stress....

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gaskill, B. N., Lucas, J. R., Pajor, E. A. et al. 2012. Heat or insulation: Behavioral titration of mouse preference for warmth or access to a nest. PLOS ONE 7(3), e32799.

Environmental enrichment and the laboratory zebrafish

The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a small tropical minnow that is playing an increasingly big role in the world of scientific research. In the last year alone, researchers working with this diminutive fish from south Asia have discovered a new...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Lawrence C. 2012. Environmental enrichment and the laboratory zebrafish. The Enrichment Record 11, 11-15.