Reproduction

The maintenance conditions of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) breeding stock affect the survival and behavior of their offspring

The environment in which we live influences our biological traits throughout our ontogeny, being markedly significant during the beginning of our lives. Some characteristics inherited (genetically and/or epigenetically) from parents can also influence individual development, known as transgenerational effects. In...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, ReproductionAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Amaral, F. U. I., Pompermaier, A., Rutikoski, G. et al. 2025. The maintenance conditions of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) breeding stock affect the survival and behavior of their offspring. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 292, 106761.

Evaluating the suitability of substrate enrichment for Zebrafish in high-capacity research aquaria

Zebrafish, Danio rerio, show a preference for substrate enrichment within their tanks however this is seldom included within high-capacity research aquaria due to fears its inclusion may impact on their ability to breed on demand. To investigate this potential impact...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Husbandry & Management, ReproductionAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: McKay-West, J., Green, M., Chance, R. 2025. Evaluating the suitability of substrate enrichment for Zebrafish in high-capacity research aquaria. Animal Technology and Welfare 24(2), 108–112.

Reducing hormonal inputs in rabbit reproduction: Physical ovulation induction with a 3D-printed cannula

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a 3D-printed cannula in inducing ovulation in female rabbits without exogenous GnRH analogues. A total of 325 inseminations were performed across different physiological stages: nulliparous, multiparous lactating, and multiparous non-lactating does. Two insemination methods...

Year Published: 2025Topics: ReproductionAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Castillo, J. J., Vicente, J. S., Marco-Jiménez, F. et al. 2025. Reducing hormonal inputs in rabbit reproduction: Physical ovulation induction with a 3D-printed cannula. Animals 15(17), 2544.

Managed care of naked mole-rats

Naked mole-rats are a burgeoning model species in the field of biomedical research and are also housed at many zoos throughout the world. These mammals possess many traits that have a large impact on the way that they are kept...

Year Published: 2021Topics: Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Husbandry & Management, Identification Method, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Relocation & Transport, Reproduction, RestraintAnimal Type: Mole Rat, Rodent

Citation: Smith, M., Buffenstein, R. 2021. Managed care of naked mole-rats. In: R. Buffenstein, T. J. Park, & M. M. Holmes (Eds.), The Extraordinary Biology of the Naked Mole-Rat (pp. 381–407). Springer International Publishing.

Tortoise husbandry and welfare

Keeping captive tortoises healthy and well is a significant challenge. Because they are ectotherms, these reptiles are totally dependent upon external sources to maintain body temperature and therefore metabolic function. Their physical environment is vital for them to remain healthy...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Housing, Husbandry & Management, ReproductionAnimal Type: Reptile, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Williams, J. 2025. Tortoise husbandry and welfare. CABI. Boston, USA. 291 pp.

Breeding planning for laboratory mice

In laboratory animal facilities, due to the rules of mammalian genetics, animals are often produced that do not possess the required genotype for planned experiments. To minimize the number of these animals that cannot be used for the intended research,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Schenkel, J., Nagel-Riedasch, S., Zevnik, B. et al. 2025. Breeding planning for laboratory mice. Laboratory Animals 59(3), 415–415.

Decision trees for determining the fate of laboratory animals

Facilities involved in laboratory animal research often face ethical challenges such as: what should I do with the animals that are no longer suitable for experimental purposes? One of the common answers to this question is to kill them. And...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Euthanasia, Relocation & Transport, ReproductionAnimal Type: All/General

Citation: Reshetnykov, M., Stumm, K., Zwick, M. et al. 2025. Decision trees for determining the fate of laboratory animals. Laboratory Animals 59(2), 157–168.

Environmental enrichment attenuates reproductive adversity in a mouse model of Parkinson disease

Environmental enrichment is the provision of different substrates to mimic an animal’s natural environment and encourage natural, species-specific behavior. However, the use of enrichment to improve breeding efficiency in mouse models for neurologic conditions is not well described. There are...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Walsh, C. A., Johnson, L., Cirillo, P. A. et al. 2025. Environmental enrichment attenuates reproductive adversity in a mouse model of parkinson disease. Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science 64(1), 58–63.

Biopolymer-based nesting material for sows and its consequence on nest-building behavior, farrowing kinetics and piglet vitality

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of a soluble and biodegradable biopolymer-based material, structurally resembling natural fiber, as an alternative nesting-material for prepartum gilts. A total of 18 first parity sows and their litters were studied. One hour...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Pig

Citation: Monteiro, M. S., Muro, B. B. D., Nicolino, M. V. B. et al. 2025. Biopolymer-based nesting material for sows and its consequence on nest-building behavior, farrowing kinetics and piglet vitality. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 284, 106555.

Good welfare is attractive: Female zebrafish (Danio rerio) prefer males from complex, well-resourced conditions over males from conventional barren laboratory tanks

Applied ethologists often find that sub-optimal housing (e.g. barren versus “enriched”, well-resourced conditions) impairs animals’ interactions with conspecifics. Furthermore, some housing effects on social/sexual interactions persist even in standardised test situations. For example, in mating tests on three mammalian and...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Environmental Enrichment, ReproductionAnimal Type: Fish, Zebrafish

Citation: Lavery, J. M., Snaith, K., Pallarca, J. et al. 2025. Good welfare is attractive: Female zebrafish (Danio rerio) prefer males from complex, well-resourced conditions over males from conventional barren laboratory tanks. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 286, 106603.