Reproduction

The Welfare of Cats

This book covers the major issues affecting the welfare of domestic cats. It covers recent developments in our understanding of cat behaviour, considers the ways in which cat welfare is assessed, and addresses the successes and failures of the relationship...

Year Published: 2007Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Reproduction, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Cat

Citation: Rochlitz, I. (Ed.) 2007. The Welfare of Cats. Springer: Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 283 pp.

Issues to consider for preparing ferrets as research subjects in the laboratory

Successful housing requires knowledge of ferret behaviors including social behavior, eating habits, a general inquisitive nature, and a species-typical need to burrow and hide. Regular handling is necessary to maintain well-being. A ferret health care program consists of physical examination,...

Year Published: 2006Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Euthanasia, Handling, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Relocation & Transport, Reproduction, RestraintAnimal Type: Ferret

Citation: Ball, R. S. 2006. Issues to consider for preparing ferrets as research subjects in the laboratory. ILAR Journal 47(4), 348-357.

Effects of cage size and enrichment on reproductive performance and behavior in C57BL/6Tac mice

While cage size did not affect reproductive performance, enrichment (regardless of cage size) did signficicantly benefit reproductive performance; pups from non-enriched cages weighed less and fewer survived to weaning age than pups from enriched cages.

Year Published: 2009Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Whitaker, J., Moy, S. S., Godfrey, V. et al. 2009. Effects of cage size and enrichment on reproductive performance and behavior in C57BL/6Tac mice. Lab Animal 38(1), 24-34.

Effects of specific environmental enrichment contributing to litter size and attrition rate of TRP1/TGfβ transgenic mice in a breeding colony

In previous studies of environmental enrichment of mice it has been determined that certain types of mice are affected by manipulation of their living environment. Some have effects on cognitive memory and some affect the developmental nurturing on second and...

Year Published: 2010Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & Weaning, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Oteham, C. P. 2010. Effects of specific environmental enrichment contributing to litter size and attrition rate of TRP1/TGfβ transgenic mice in a breeding colony. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 698 (Abstract #P51).

Environmental enrichment improves fertility and pup survival

Historically, we have added approximately half a cup of shredded aspen bedding for nest making into each littering cage. This procedure was continued as we looked into additional environmental enrichment. There are many types of environmental enrichment available on the...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Griess, R. S. 2011. Environmental enrichment improves fertility and pup survival. Tech Talk [The Newsletter for Laboratory Animal Science Technicians] 16(1), 2-3.

The naked truth: Breeding performance in outbred and inbred strains of nude mice with and without nesting material

In laboratories, mice are housed at ambient temperatures between 20 to 24 °C, which is below their lower critical temperature of 30 °C, but comfortable for human workers. Thus, mice are thermally stressed, which can compromise many aspects of physiology...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gaskill, B., Winnicker, C. L., Garner, J. P. et al. 2011. The naked truth: Breeding performance in outbred and inbred strains of nude mice with and without nesting material. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 741 (Abstract #PS95).

Energy reallocation to breeding performance through improved behavioral thermoregulation

Mice are housed at temperatures which increase their basal metabolic rates and impose high energy demands to maintain core temperatures. Thus, energy may be reallocated from other biologic processes to increase heat production. We hypothesized that nesting material will allow...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gaskill, B., Garner, J. P., Pritchett-Corning, K. 2011. Energy reallocation to breeding performance through improved behavioral thermoregulation. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 771 (Abstract #P120).

Refining housing and husbandry techniques in transgenic mice through environmental enrichment

Dynamic changes in housing and husbandry techniques based on the concept of 3Rs should be included as routine practice in breeding and experimental animal facilities tending to improve animal welfare. Immunosupressed mice are susceptible to diseases and have special requirements...

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

Citation: Paula, A. A., Goyeneche, L., Crispo, M. 2011. Refining housing and husbandry techniques in transgenic mice through environmental enrichment. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 777 (Abstract #P148).

Effects of environmental enrichment on the production of C57BL/6 mice kept in different housing systems

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment on the performance of C57BL/6 mice kept in conventional animal facilities (open cage; OC) and individually ventilated caging system (IVC). We analyzed the interactions between treatments (enrichment...

Year Published: 2011Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Housing, Rearing & Weaning, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Neves, S. 2011. Effects of environmental enrichment on the production of C57BL/6 mice kept in different housing systems. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science [AALAS] Meeting Official Program, 788 (Abstract #P201).

Enrichment materials do not negatively affect reproductive success and offspring survival and weight in mice

Environmental enrichment is designed to improve the overall welfare of laboratory animals, including mice. Few studies have directly assessed the effects of different types of enrichment on mouse offspring survival and growth. The authors examined how survival and growth of...

Year Published: 2012Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Rearing & Weaning, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Shair, H. N., Nunez, Y., Osman, M. M. 2012. Enrichment materials do not negatively affect reproductive success and offspring survival and weight in mice. Lab Animal 41(1), 14-19.