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Decker S, Lavery JM, Mason GJ. Don't use it? Don't lose it! Why active use is not required for stimuli, resources or "enrichments" to have welfare value. Zoo Biol 2023; 42:467-475. [PMID: 36779682 DOI: 10.1002/zoo.21756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
Current frameworks for designing and evaluating good enclosures and "enrichments" typically focus on animals' active interactions with these features. This has undoubtedly improved the welfare of zoo-housed animals over the last 30 years or more. However, literature reviews from this same period identify persistent gaps in how such frameworks are applied: experiences and behaviors that do not rely on active interaction with stimuli or resources are largely ignored, when evaluating the welfare value of enclosures and enrichments within them. Here, we review research evidence demonstrating that active interaction is not always a reliable measure of welfare value, showing that items that elicit little or no interaction can nevertheless still reduce stress and improve well-being. This evidence largely comes from research on humans, lab animals and farm animals, but also from some zoo studies too. We then investigate why. We review psychology and ethology literatures to show that such welfare benefits can arise from five, non-mutually exclusive, processes or mechanisms that are well-understood in humans and domestic animals: (1) some motivations are sated quickly by interaction with resources, yet still have large welfare benefits; (2) active interaction may just be a way to achieve a goal or solve a problem, without being beneficial for welfare in itself; (3) having opportunities for choice and control may be inherently beneficial, even when not acted on; (4) some enclosure features meet social needs for structure, landmarks, and blocked sightlines; and (5) some stimuli may be preferred because they signaled good environments to an animal's ancestors. We use this information to identify improved ways of enhancing and assessing zoo animal welfare. Incorporating these concepts should expand the scope of behaviors and subjective experiences that are targeted, to now include those that involve little active interaction and yet still are important for good welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Decker
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - J Michelle Lavery
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
| | - Georgia J Mason
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada
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2
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Kleinhappel TK, Pike TW, Burman OHP. Changes in group behaviour in response to a preferred environment reflect positive affect. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10576. [PMID: 37386060 PMCID: PMC10310767 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37763-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
When observed in their preferred environments, animals display behavioural changes, such as an increase in resting or a reduction in agonism, suggestive of positive affect and improved welfare. However, most studies focus on the behaviour of individuals or, at most, pairs of animals; even though in group-living animals beneficial environmental changes may impact on how the group behaves as a whole. In this study, we investigated whether experiencing a preferred visual environment affected the shoaling behaviour of zebrafish (Danio rerio) groups. We first confirmed a group preference for an image of gravel placed underneath the base of a tank compared to a plain white image. Second, we observed replicated groups either with or without the preferred (gravel) image present to determine if a visually enriched and preferred environment could elicit changes in shoaling behaviour. We found a significant interaction between the observation time and test condition, with differences in shoaling behaviour reflective of increased relaxation emerging gradually over time in the gravel condition. The findings of this study reveal that experiencing a preferred environment can alter group behaviour, making such holistic changes valuable as potential indicators of positive welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas W Pike
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Oliver H P Burman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK.
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3
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Russell AL, Randall LV, Kaler J, Eyre N, Green MJ. Use of qualitative behavioural assessment to investigate affective states of housed dairy cows under different environmental conditions. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1099170. [PMID: 37008348 PMCID: PMC10064062 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1099170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to the reduction of suboptimal welfare, there is now a need to provide farmed animals with positive opportunities to provide confidence that they have experienced a life worth living. Diversification of the environment through environmental enrichment strategies is one suggested avenue for providing animals with opportunities for positive experiences. The provision of more stimulating environmental conditions has been widely implemented in other animal production industries, based on evidenced welfare benefits. However, the implementation of enrichment on dairy farms is limited. In addition to this, the relationship between enrichment and dairy cows' affective states is an under-researched area. One specific welfare benefit of enrichment strategies which has been observed in a number of species, is increased affective wellbeing. This study investigated whether the provision of different forms of environmental enrichment resources would impact the affective states of housed dairy cows. This was measured by Qualitative Behavioural Assessment, currently a promising positive welfare indicator. Two groups of cows experienced three treatment periods; (i) access to an indoor novel object, (ii) access to an outdoor concrete yard and (iii) simultaneous access to both resources. Principal component analysis was used to analyse qualitative behavioural assessment scores, which yielded two principal components. The first principal component was most positively associated with the terms “content/relaxed/positively occupied” and had the most negative associations with the terms ‘fearful/bored'. A second principal component was most positively associated with the terms “lively/inquisitive/playful” and was most negatively associated with the terms “apathetic/bored”. Treatment period had a significant effect on both principal components, with cows being assessed as more content, relaxed and positively occupied and less fearful and bored, during periods of access to additional environmental resources. Similarly, cows were scored as livelier, more inquisitive and less bored and apathetic, during treatment periods compared to standard housing conditions. Concurrent with research in other species, these results suggest that the provision of additional environmental resources facilitates positive experiences and therefore enhanced affective states for housed dairy cows.
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Mieske P, Hobbiesiefken U, Fischer-Tenhagen C, Heinl C, Hohlbaum K, Kahnau P, Meier J, Wilzopolski J, Butzke D, Rudeck J, Lewejohann L, Diederich K. Bored at home?—A systematic review on the effect of environmental enrichment on the welfare of laboratory rats and mice. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:899219. [PMID: 36061113 PMCID: PMC9435384 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.899219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Boredom is an emotional state that occurs when an individual has nothing to do, is not interested in the surrounding, and feels dreary and in a monotony. While this condition is usually defined for humans, it may very well describe the lives of many laboratory animals housed in small, barren cages. To make the cages less monotonous, environmental enrichment is often proposed. Although housing in a stimulating environment is still used predominantly as a luxury good and for treatment in preclinical research, enrichment is increasingly recognized to improve animal welfare. To gain insight into how stimulating environments influence the welfare of laboratory rodents, we conducted a systematic review of studies that analyzed the effect of enriched environment on behavioral parameters of animal well–being. Remarkably, a considerable number of these parameters can be associated with symptoms of boredom. Our findings show that a stimulating living environment is essential for the development of natural behavior and animal welfare of laboratory rats and mice alike, regardless of age and sex. Conversely, confinement and under-stimulation has potentially detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of laboratory rodents. We show that boredom in experimental animals is measurable and does not have to be accepted as inevitable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mieske
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Ute Hobbiesiefken
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Carola Fischer-Tenhagen
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Céline Heinl
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Hohlbaum
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Pia Kahnau
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jennifer Meier
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jenny Wilzopolski
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Butzke
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Juliane Rudeck
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Lars Lewejohann
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kai Diederich
- German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Kai Diederich
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Thompson JS, Hudson CD, Huxley JN, Kaler J, Robinson RS, Woad KJ, Bollard N, Gibbons J, Green MJ. A randomised controlled trial to evaluate the impact of indoor living space on dairy cow production, reproduction and behaviour. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3849. [PMID: 35264670 PMCID: PMC8907246 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07826-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
As a global society, we have a duty to provide suitable care and conditions for farmed livestock to protect animal welfare and ensure the sustainability of our food supply. The suitability and biological impacts of housing conditions for intensively farmed animals is a complex and emotive subject, yet poorly researched, meaning quantitative evidence to inform policy and legislation is lacking. Most dairy cows globally are housed for some duration during the year, largely when climatic conditions are unfavourable. However, the impact on biology, productivity and welfare of even the most basic housing requirement, the quantity of living space, remains unknown. We conducted a long-term (1-year), randomised controlled trial (CONSORT 10 guidelines) to investigate the impact of increased living space (6.5 m2 vs 3 m2 per animal) on critical aspects of cow biology, behaviour and productivity. Adult Holstein dairy cows (n = 150) were continuously and randomly allocated to a high or control living space group with all other aspects of housing remaining identical between groups. Compared to cows in the control living space group, cows with increased space produced more milk per 305d lactation (primiparous: 12,235 L vs 11,592 L, P < 0.01; multiparous: 14,746 L vs 14,644 L, P < 0.01) but took longer to become pregnant after calving (primiparous: 155 d vs 83 d, P = 0.025; multiparous: 133 d vs 109 d). In terms of behaviour, cows with more living space spent significantly more time in lying areas (65 min/d difference; high space group: 12.43 h/day, 95% CI = 11.70-13.29; control space group: 11.42 h/day, 95% CI = 10.73-12.12) and significantly less time in passageways (64 min/d), suggesting enhanced welfare when more space was provided. A key physiological difference between groups was that cows with more space spent longer ruminating each day. This is the first long term study in dairy cows to demonstrate that increased living space results in meaningful benefits in terms of productivity and behaviour and suggests that the interplay between farmed animals and their housed environment plays an important role in the concepts of welfare and sustainability of dairy farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake S Thompson
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Christopher D Hudson
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jonathan N Huxley
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4474, New Zealand
| | - Jasmeet Kaler
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Robert S Robinson
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Kathryn J Woad
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Nicola Bollard
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Jenny Gibbons
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, CV8 2TL, UK
| | - Martin J Green
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, UK.
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Neville V, Mounty J, Benato L, Hunter K, Mendl M, Paul ES. Thinking outside the lab: Can studies of pet rats inform pet and laboratory rat welfare? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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7
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Conte F, De Rosa O, Albinni B, Mango D, Coppola A, Malloggi S, Giangrande D, Giganti F, Barbato G, Ficca G. Learning Monologues at Bedtime Improves Sleep Quality in Actors and Non-Actors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:11. [PMID: 35010270 PMCID: PMC8750122 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Several studies show that pre-sleep learning determines changes in subsequent sleep, including improvements of sleep quality. Our aims were to confirm this finding using a more ecological task (learning a theatrical monologue) and to investigate whether the effect is modulated by expertise. Using a mixed design, we compared polysomnographic recordings of baseline sleep (BL, 9-h TIB) to those of post-training sleep (TR, with the same TIB but preceded by the training session), in one group of actors (N = 11) and one of non-actors (N = 11). In both groups, TR appears reorganized and re-compacted by the learning session, as shown, among others, by a significant decrease of WASO%, awakenings, arousals, and state transitions and by a trend towards an increased number of complete cycles and total cycle time. Concerning memory performance, the number of synonyms produced was significantly higher in the morning relative to immediate recall. No between-groups differences emerged either for sleep or memory variables. Our data confirm pre-sleep learning's beneficial effect on sleep quality in an ecological context. While expertise appears not to influence memory-related sleep mechanisms, results on morning recall support the recent view that sleep's role in memory processes consists in trace "transformation" for adaptive purposes, rather than rote consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Conte
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (O.D.R.); (B.A.); (D.M.); (A.C.); (D.G.); (G.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Oreste De Rosa
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (O.D.R.); (B.A.); (D.M.); (A.C.); (D.G.); (G.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Benedetta Albinni
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (O.D.R.); (B.A.); (D.M.); (A.C.); (D.G.); (G.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Daniele Mango
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (O.D.R.); (B.A.); (D.M.); (A.C.); (D.G.); (G.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Alessia Coppola
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (O.D.R.); (B.A.); (D.M.); (A.C.); (D.G.); (G.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Serena Malloggi
- Department Neurofarba, University of Firenze, Via di San Salvi 12, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (S.M.); (F.G.)
| | - Davide Giangrande
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (O.D.R.); (B.A.); (D.M.); (A.C.); (D.G.); (G.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Fiorenza Giganti
- Department Neurofarba, University of Firenze, Via di San Salvi 12, 50135 Firenze, Italy; (S.M.); (F.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Barbato
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (O.D.R.); (B.A.); (D.M.); (A.C.); (D.G.); (G.B.); (G.F.)
| | - Gianluca Ficca
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100 Caserta, Italy; (O.D.R.); (B.A.); (D.M.); (A.C.); (D.G.); (G.B.); (G.F.)
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Domarecka E, Kalcioglu MT, Mutlu A, Özgür A, Smit J, Olze H, Szczepek AJ. Reporting Data on Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) in Rats: Recommendations Based on Review of Experimental Protocols and Literature. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11121596. [PMID: 34942898 PMCID: PMC8699229 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Research in hearing science is accelerating, and a wealth of data concerning auditory brainstem responses (ABR) in various animal models is published in peer-reviewed journals every year. Recently, we reviewed studies using ABR measurements in tinnitus rat models. We found significant discrepancies in the outcomes of these studies, some due to different research approaches and others due to different methodologies. Thus, the present work aimed to collect comprehensive information on all factors influencing ABR recordings in rats and compile recommendations on ABR data reporting. A questionnaire with queries about animal husbandry, transfer, handling, and the exact test conditions before, during, and after ABR recordings was sent to 125 researchers who published the relevant studies between 2015 and 2021. Eighteen researchers provided detailed answers on factors related to ABR measurements. Based on the analysis of the returned questionnaires, we identified three domains reflecting animal-, equipment-, and experiment-dependent factors that might influence the ABR outcome, thus requiring reporting in published research. The analysis of survey results led to the compilation of recommendations for reporting ABR outcomes supported by a literature review. Following these recommendations should facilitate comparative and meta-analyses of ABR results provided by various research groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Domarecka
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
- Correspondence: (E.D.); (A.J.S.)
| | - Mahmut Tayyar Kalcioglu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, 34720 Istanbul, Turkey; (M.T.K.); (A.M.)
- Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, Goztepe Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital, Kadikoy, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Mutlu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, 34720 Istanbul, Turkey; (M.T.K.); (A.M.)
- Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, Goztepe Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital, Kadikoy, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdulkadir Özgür
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, İstanbul Yeni Yuzyil University Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital, 34245 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Jasper Smit
- Zuyderland Medical Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 6419 PC Heerlen, The Netherlands;
| | - Heidi Olze
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Agnieszka J. Szczepek
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany;
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
- Correspondence: (E.D.); (A.J.S.)
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Neville V, Mounty J, Benato L, Hunter K, Mendl M, Paul ES. Pet rat welfare in the United Kingdom: The good, the bad and the ugly. Vet Rec 2021; 189:e559. [PMID: 34101201 DOI: 10.1002/vetr.559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, despite the substantial literature investigating how rats prefer to be kept in captivity, no research has been conducted to assess the housing, husbandry and health of pet rats. METHODS To better understand the United Kingdom's pet rat population and the welfare issues they face, we conducted an online survey of pet rat owners. The survey included questions about the owner and their opinions about pet rats, and about their rats' health, husbandry and housing. RESULTS The results, from 677 complete responses, highlighted areas of rat care that were "good", "bad" and "ugly" (i.e. likely to be highly detrimental to welfare). The good was that many rats were provided with a social companion and enrichment; the bad was that we could not be certain whether rats had a sufficiently nutritious diet or sufficient opportunities to explore or adequate nesting substrate; and the ugly included cases of exposure of rats to predator species within the home and a generally high prevalence of disease. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that there is much cause for concern about the welfare of pet rats in the United Kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikki Neville
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jessica Mounty
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Livia Benato
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,City Vets, Exeter, UK
| | | | - Michael Mendl
- Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Mesa-Gresa P, Ramos-Campos M, Redolat R. Behavioral impact of experience based on environmental enrichment: Influence of age and duration of exposure in male NMRI mice. Dev Psychobiol 2021; 63:1071-1081. [PMID: 33452673 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies have suggested that short periods of exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) in rodents induce physiological and behavioral effects. In the present study, our aim was to evaluate if the impact of experiences based on EE could be modulated by the age of onset and the developmental period of exposure. NMRI male mice (n = 64) were exposed to EE or standard environment (SE) and behavioral changes (anxiety, exploration, memory and social interaction) were evaluated. Groups compared were: (a) SE: exposure to SE on post-natal day (PND) 28 and lasting 6 months; (b) EE-6: exposure to EE on PND 28 and lasting 6 months; (c) EE-4: exposure to EE on PND 91 and lasting 4 months; (d) EE-2: exposure to EE on PND 154 and lasting 2 months. Results indicated that in the hole-board task the decrease in exploratory behavior reached significance when EE was initiated at adolescence whereas anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze tend to diminish after a longer period of EE. No significant effects of EE on aggressive behavior or novel object recognition were obtained. Taking these results into account, further studies are needed in order to determine the possible modulating role of age and duration of exposure to enriched environments on behavior. Results obtained could explain some discrepancies reported in previous studies, providing new evidence that could contribute to the design of future research related to the benefits of complex and enriched environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mesa-Gresa
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Ramos-Campos
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosa Redolat
- Departamento Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
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Adcock A, Choleris E, Denommé M, Khan H, Levison L, MacLellan A, Nazal B, Niel L, Nip E, Mason G. Where are you from? Female mice raised in enriched or conventional cages differ socially, and can be discriminated by other mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 400:113025. [PMID: 33249072 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory rodents raised in environmentally-enriched (EE) cages differ behaviourally and cognitively from conventionally-housed (CH) animals. We hypothesised that mice can detect such differences, testing this using differentially-raised female C57BL/6 s as subjects, and differentially-raised female BALB/cs and DBA/2 s as stimuli, in Social Approach Tests. Because more prone to signs of depression, anxiety, stereotypic behaviour (SB) and aggression, we further hypothesised that CH mice would be less sociable and socially attractive than EE mice. A novel familiarisation paradigm pre-exposed subjects to non-cagemate EE and CH stimulus mice before testing in Social Approach Tests. CH subjects proved less sociable than EE subjects: an effect unrelated to general exploration, anxiety or depression-like traits, and driven specifically by reduced interest in CH stimulus mice. Providing further evidence that CH and EE stimulus mice could be distinguished, subjects proved most attracted to mice from housing unlike their own. CH subjects thus preferred EE over CH stimulus mice, while EE subjects tended to prefer CH over EE: patterns that were not mediated by any measured aspect of stimulus mouse behaviour. Differential bodyweight also seemed unimportant, as was scent: soiled CH and EE bedding/nesting did not elicit the same discrimination. Instead, subjects who avoided CH stimulus mice and were attracted to EE stimulus mice were those who received the most agonism in their home cages. Together this provides the first demonstration that mice can distinguish between individuals raised in enriched or conventional cages, and suggests that receiving agonism from cagemates may motivate mice to seek new, less aggressive companions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimée Adcock
- Formerly Dept. of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Dept. of Psychology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melanie Denommé
- Formerly Dept. of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Haider Khan
- Formerly Dept. of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lena Levison
- Animal Care Services, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aileen MacLellan
- Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Basma Nazal
- Formerly Dept. of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lee Niel
- Dept. of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emma Nip
- Formerly Dept. of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Georgia Mason
- Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
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Pritchett-Corning KR. Environmental Complexity and Research Outcomes. ILAR J 2020; 60:239-251. [PMID: 32559304 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental complexity is an experimental paradigm as well as a potential part of animals' everyday housing experiences. In experimental uses, researchers add complexity to stimulate brain development, delay degenerative brain changes, elicit more naturalistic behaviors, and test learning and memory. Complexity can exacerbate or mitigate behavioral problems, give animals a sense of control, and allow for expression of highly driven, species-typical behaviors that can improve animal welfare. Complex environments should be designed thoughtfully with the animal's natural behaviors in mind, reported faithfully in the literature, and evaluated carefully for unexpected effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen R Pritchett-Corning
- Office of Animal Resources, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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Kleinhappel TK, Pike TW, Burman OHP. Stress-induced changes in group behaviour. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17200. [PMID: 31748696 PMCID: PMC6868208 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53661-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Testing animals in groups can provide valuable data for investigating behavioural stress responses. However, conventional measures typically focus on the behaviour of individual animals or on dyadic interactions. Here, we aimed to determine metrics describing the behaviour of grouping animals that can reveal differences in stress responses. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model, we observed replicated shoals both immediately and 24 hours after exposure to a novel environment, as an assessment of temporal change in response to an acute stressor. We quantified various standard behavioural measures in combination with metrics describing group structure, including different proximity, social, and spatial metrics. Firstly, we showed a high collinearity between most of the analysed metrics, suggesting that they describe similar aspects of the group dynamics. After metric selection, we found that under acute stress shoals had significantly higher shoal densities, a lower variation in nearest neighbour distances and were in closer proximity to the walls compared to the same groups tested 24 hours later, indicating a reduction in acute stress over time. Thus, the use of group metrics could allow for the refinement of behavioural protocols carried out in a range of research areas, by providing sensitive and rich data in a more relevant social context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas W Pike
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
| | - Oliver H P Burman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, LN6 7DL, UK
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Pasture Access Affects Behavioral Indicators of Wellbeing in Dairy Cows. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:ani9110902. [PMID: 31683918 PMCID: PMC6912433 DOI: 10.3390/ani9110902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Dairy cows in Europe and the United States are increasingly housed indoors year-round. Even cows with pasture access are usually kept inside during the winter and around calving. However, animal welfare scientists and dairy consumers are concerned that full-time housing impacts cattle welfare. We investigated how pasture influences behavioral indicators of wellbeing. Using cow pedometers, we recorded 29 animals’ lying and walking activity during 18 days of pasture access and 18 days of indoor housing. Cattle at pasture had fewer lying bouts but longer lying times, indicating they were more comfortable and less restless. Lying behavior was also more synchronous outdoors, with most of the herd lying at the same time. These results indicate pasture provides a comfortable surface and reduces competition for lying space. Furthermore, cows at pasture walked farther, with potential benefits for their physical health and psychological wellbeing. Our findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that pasture access improves dairy cow welfare. As a society, we must decide whether full-time housing is a price worth paying for dairy products. Abstract Dairy cows are increasingly housed indoors, either year-round or for long stretches over the winter and around parturition. This may create health and welfare issues. In cattle, lying and walking are highly motivated, and herds synchronize lying behavior when they have comfortable surfaces and little competition for space. Lying and walking activity can, therefore, indicate good welfare. Using a repeated measures crossover design, we gave 29 Holstein–Friesian dairy cows 18 days of overnight pasture access (PAS treatment) and 18 days of indoor housing (PEN treatment). Accelerometers recorded their lying and locomotory behavior. We measured behavioral synchrony with Fleiss’ Kappa and analyzed the accelerometry data using linear mixed models. Compared to the PEN treatment, the PAS treatment had longer overnight lying durations (χ21 = 27.51, p < 0.001), fewer lying bouts (χ21 = 22.53, p < 0.001), longer lying bouts (χ21 = 25.53, p < 0.001), and fewer transitions up or down (χ21 = 16.83, p < 0.001). Herd lying behavior was also more synchronous at pasture (χ21 = 230.25, p < 0.001). In addition, nightly step counts were higher in the PAS treatment than the PEN treatment (χ21 = 2946.31, p < 0.001). These results suggest pasture access improves dairy cow welfare by increasing comfort, reducing competition and boredom, and facilitating motivated behavior.
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Cerasuolo M, Conte F, Giganti F, Ficca G. Sleep changes following intensive cognitive activity. Sleep Med 2019; 66:148-158. [PMID: 31877506 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2019.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Studies over the last 40 years have mainly investigated sleep structure changes as a result of wake duration, in the frame of the classical sleep regulation theories. However, wake intervals of the same duration can profoundly differ in their intensity, which actually reflects the degree of cognitive and physical activity. Data on how sleep can be modified by wake intensity changes (initially sparse and of little consistence) have become much more substantial, especially in the frame of the intense research debate on sleep-memory relationships. Our aim is to examine the vast repertoire of sleep modifications that depend on waking cognitive manipulations, highlighting the sleep features that appear most affected. By systematically addressing this issue, we want to set the basis for future research exploring both the specific nature of the mechanisms involved and the applicative psychosocial and clinical fall-outs, in terms of possible behavioural interventions for sleep quality improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariangela Cerasuolo
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Francesca Conte
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Giganti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ficca
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy.
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Nip E, Adcock A, Nazal B, MacLellan A, Niel L, Choleris E, Levison L, Mason G. Why are enriched mice nice? Investigating how environmental enrichment reduces agonism in female C57BL/6, DBA/2, and BALB/c mice. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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17
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Besedovsky L, Lange T, Haack M. The Sleep-Immune Crosstalk in Health and Disease. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1325-1380. [PMID: 30920354 PMCID: PMC6689741 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00010.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 605] [Impact Index Per Article: 121.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sleep and immunity are bidirectionally linked. Immune system activation alters sleep, and sleep in turn affects the innate and adaptive arm of our body's defense system. Stimulation of the immune system by microbial challenges triggers an inflammatory response, which, depending on its magnitude and time course, can induce an increase in sleep duration and intensity, but also a disruption of sleep. Enhancement of sleep during an infection is assumed to feedback to the immune system to promote host defense. Indeed, sleep affects various immune parameters, is associated with a reduced infection risk, and can improve infection outcome and vaccination responses. The induction of a hormonal constellation that supports immune functions is one likely mechanism underlying the immune-supporting effects of sleep. In the absence of an infectious challenge, sleep appears to promote inflammatory homeostasis through effects on several inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines. This notion is supported by findings that prolonged sleep deficiency (e.g., short sleep duration, sleep disturbance) can lead to chronic, systemic low-grade inflammation and is associated with various diseases that have an inflammatory component, like diabetes, atherosclerosis, and neurodegeneration. Here, we review available data on this regulatory sleep-immune crosstalk, point out methodological challenges, and suggest questions open for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Besedovsky
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen , Tübingen , Germany ; Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts ; and Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck , Lübeck , Germany
| | - Tanja Lange
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen , Tübingen , Germany ; Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts ; and Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck , Lübeck , Germany
| | - Monika Haack
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Tübingen , Tübingen , Germany ; Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts ; and Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck , Lübeck , Germany
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Modlinska K, Chrzanowska A, Pisula W. The impact of changeability of enriched environment on exploration in rats. Behav Processes 2019; 164:78-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Morano R, Hoskins O, Smith BL, Herman JP. Loss of Environmental Enrichment Elicits Behavioral and Physiological Dysregulation in Female Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 12:287. [PMID: 30740046 PMCID: PMC6357926 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress drives behavioral and physiological changes associated with numerous psychiatric disease states. In rodents, the vast majority of chronic stress models involve imposition of external stressors, whereas in humans stress is often driven by internal cues, commonly associated with a sense of loss. We previously exposed groups of rats to environmental enrichment (EE) for a protracted period (1 month), followed by removal of enrichment (ER), to induce an experience of loss in male rats. ER enhanced immobility in the forced swim test (FST), led to hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis hypoactivity, and caused hyperphagia relative to continuously enriched (EE), single-housed (Scon) and pair-housed (Pcon) groups, most of which were reversible by antidepressant treatment (Smith et al., 2017). Here, we have applied the same approach to study enrichment loss in female rats. Similar to the males, enrichment removal in females led to an increase in the time spent immobile in the FST and increased daytime food intake compared to the single and pair-housed controls. Unlike males, ER females showed decreased sucrose preference, and showed estrus cycle-dependent HPA axis hyperactivity to an acute restraint stress. The increase in passive coping (immobility), anhedonia-like behavior in the sucrose preference test and HPA axis dysregulation suggest that enrichment removal produces a loss phenotype in females that differs from that seen in males, which may be more pronounced in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Morano
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Olivia Hoskins
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Brittany L Smith
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - James P Herman
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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An explorative study on the effect of provision of preferred and non-preferred enrichment on behavioural and physiological parameters in laboratory ferrets ( Mustela putorius furo ). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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21
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Hemsworth PH. Key determinants of pig welfare: implications of animal management and housing design on livestock welfare. ANIMAL PRODUCTION SCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/an17897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The present review using the pig as a model has highlighted the importance of the design of the housing system on the welfare of farm animals. It has emphasised the need for research on animal welfare in new and modified housing systems, as well as current but contentious systems, to be attentive to the design contributions of these systems to animal welfare. The review has highlighted areas for future research to safeguard sow and piglet welfare, including the following: effective environmental enrichment for gestating sows in intensive, indoor and non-bedded systems; opportunities to increase foraging and feeding times in feed-restricted gestating sows; design features that allow both access to important resources, such as feed, water and a comfortable lying area, and escape opportunities to reduce aggression and minimise risks to the welfare of group-housed sows; and less confined farrowing and lactation systems. The review also shows that animal welfare problems may be less a function of the type of housing system than of how well it operates. The skills, knowledge and motivation of stockpeople to effectively care for and manage their animals are integral to the standard of welfare experienced by their animals. Attitudes influence not only the manner in which stockpeople handle animals, but also their motivation to care for their animals. Thus, training targeting technical skills and knowledge as well as the attitudes and behaviours of stockpeople should be a primary component of the human resource management practices at a farm. While public concerns and policy debates often focus on intensive housing systems, research indicates that the design and management of both indoor and outdoor housing systems is probably more important for animal welfare than is generally recognised.
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Reijgwart ML, Vinke CM, Hendriksen CF, van der Meer M, Schoemaker NJ, van Zeeland YR. Are all motivation tests the same? The effect of two adaptations to a three-chamber consumer demand study in ferrets. Anim Behav 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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23
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Burn CC. Bestial boredom: a biological perspective on animal boredom and suggestions for its scientific investigation. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Biedermann SV, Auer MK, Bindila L, Ende G, Lutz B, Weber-Fahr W, Gass P, Fuss J. Restricted vs. unrestricted wheel running in mice: Effects on brain, behavior and endocannabinoids. Horm Behav 2016; 86:45-54. [PMID: 27664019 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Beneficial effects of voluntary wheel running on hippocampal neurogenesis, morphology and hippocampal-dependent behavior have widely been studied in rodents, but also serious side effects and similarities to stereotypy have been reported. Some mouse strains run excessively when equipped with running wheels, complicating the comparability to human exercise regimes. Here, we investigated how exercise restriction to 6h/day affects hippocampal morphology and metabolism, stereotypic and basal behaviors, as well as the endocannabinoid system in wheel running C57BL/6 mice; the strain most commonly used for behavioral analyses and psychiatric disease models. Restricted and unrestricted wheel running had similar effects on immature hippocampal neuron numbers, thermoregulatory nest building and basal home-cage behaviors. Surprisingly, hippocampal gray matter volume, assessed with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 9.4 Tesla, was only increased in unrestricted but not in restricted runners. Moreover, unrestricted runners showed less stereotypic behavior than restricted runners did. However, after blockage of running wheels for 24h stereotypic behavior also increased in unrestricted runners, arguing against a long-term effect of wheel running on stereotypic behavior. Stereotypic behaviors correlated with frontal glutamate and glucose levels assessed by 1H-MR spectroscopy. While acute running increased plasma levels of the endocannabinoid anandamide in former studies in mice and humans, we found an inverse correlation of anandamide with the daily running distance after long-term running. In conclusion, although there are some diverging effects of restricted and unrestricted running on brain and behavior, restricted running does not per se seem to be a better animal model for aerobic exercise in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah V Biedermann
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias K Auer
- Department of Clinical Neuroendocrinology, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Laura Bindila
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriele Ende
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Beat Lutz
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55099 Mainz, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weber-Fahr
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Peter Gass
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Fuss
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, University Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, 68159 Mannheim, Germany; Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, Center of Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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Nannoni E, Sardi L, Vitali M, Trevisi E, Ferrari A, Barone F, Bacci M, Barbieri S, Martelli G. Effects of different enrichment devices on some welfare indicators of post-weaned undocked piglets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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26
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Bashaw MJ, Gibson MD, Schowe DM, Kucher AS. Does enrichment improve reptile welfare? Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) respond to five types of environmental enrichment. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Baumans V, Sousa N. PhenoWorld: addressing animal welfare in a new paradigm to house and assess rat behaviour. Lab Anim 2016; 51:36-43. [PMID: 26985009 DOI: 10.1177/0023677216638642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of animals is essential in biomedical research. The laboratory environment where the animals are housed has a major impact on them throughout their lives and influences the outcome of animal experiments. Therefore, there has been an increased effort in the refinement of laboratory housing conditions which is explicitly reflected in international regulations and recommendations. Since housing conditions affect behaviour and brain function as well as well-being, the validation of an animal model or paradigm to study the brain and central nervous system disorders is not complete without an evaluation of its implication on animal welfare. Here we discuss several aspects of animal welfare, comparing groups of six rats living in the PhenoWorld (PhW), a recently developed and validated paradigm for studying rodent behaviour, with standard-housed animals (in cages of six rats or pair-housed). In this study we present new data on home-cage behaviour showing that PhW animals have a clearer circadian pattern of sleep and social interaction. We conclude that, by promoting good basic health and functioning, together with the performance of natural behaviours, and maintaining animals' control over some of their environment but still keeping some physical and social challenges, the PhW stimulates positive affective states and higher motivation in rats, which might contribute to an increased welfare for animals living in the PhW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda J Castelhano-Carlos
- 1 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,2 ICVS/3Bs - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Vera Baumans
- 3 Division of Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Animals, Science and Society, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nuno Sousa
- 1 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,2 ICVS/3Bs - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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28
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The effects of enrichment novelty versus complexity in cages of group-housed rats (Rattus norvegicus). Appl Anim Behav Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2016.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Makowska IJ, Weary DM. Differences in Anticipatory Behaviour between Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Housed in Standard versus Semi-Naturalistic Laboratory Environments. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147595. [PMID: 26820978 PMCID: PMC4731070 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Laboratory rats are usually kept in relatively small cages, but research has shown that they prefer larger and more complex environments. The physiological, neurological and health effects of standard laboratory housing are well established, but fewer studies have addressed the sustained emotional impact of a standard cage environment. One method of assessing affective states in animals is to look at the animals' anticipatory behaviour between the presentation of a cue signalling the arrival of a reward and the arrival of that reward. The primary aim of this study was to use anticipatory behaviour to assess the affective state experienced by female rats a) reared and housed long-term in a standard laboratory cage versus a semi-naturalistic environment, and b) before and after treatment with an antidepressant or an anxiolytic. A secondary aim was to add to the literature on anticipatory behaviour by describing and comparing the frequency and duration of individual elements of anticipatory behaviour displayed by rats reared in these two systems. In all experiments, total behavioural frequency was higher in standard-housed rats compared to rats from the semi-naturalistic condition, suggesting that standard-housed rats were more sensitive to rewards and experiencing poorer welfare than rats reared in the semi-naturalistic environment. What rats did in anticipation of the reward also differed between housing treatments, with standard-housed rats mostly rearing and rats from the semi-naturalistic condition mostly sitting facing the direction of the upcoming treat. Drug interventions had no effect on the quantity or form of anticipatory behaviour, suggesting that the poorer welfare experienced by standard-housed rats was not analogous to depression or anxiety, or alternatively that the drug interventions were ineffective. This study adds to mounting evidence that standard laboratory housing for rats compromises rat welfare, and provides further scientific support for recommendations that current minimum standards be raised.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Joanna Makowska
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Daniel M. Weary
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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The Use of Refuges by Communally Housed Cats. Animals (Basel) 2015; 5:245-58. [PMID: 26479233 PMCID: PMC4494404 DOI: 10.3390/ani5020245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2014] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Captive domestic cats frequently suffer from the lack of physical space and opportunities to perform species-typical behaviors, such as climbing or hiding. Environmental enrichment is a technique that helps transform the space available to animals into a more appropriate habitat. In this study, we tested horizontal and vertical refuge boxes as environmental enrichment for cats living communally in a cat rescue shelter. The provision of boxes in the environment increases the use of available space by the cats. We suggest this improves the cats’ welfare while in communally-housed rescue shelters. Abstract The increase of domestic animals kept in shelters highlights the need to ensure animal welfare. Environmental enrichment can improve animal welfare in many ways, such as encouraging captive animals to use all the space available to them. The effects of physical environmental enrichment on the spatial distribution and behavioral repertoire of 35 neutered domestic cats housed communally were analyzed. The provision of boxes in the environment increases the use of available space by the cats. We suggest this improves the cats’ welfare while in communally-housed rescue shelters. The frequencies of active and especially inactive behaviors also increased in the enriched condition. In a test with vertical environmental enrichment, the animals showed an increased length of stay in refuges located at a height of 0.5 m compared to those on the ground (0.0 m). However, the entry frequency was higher in refuges at 0.0 m. Both horizontal and vertical environmental enrichment increased the use of available space, demonstrating that box refuges as enrichment are effective in providing a refuge when at a height, or a place to explore at ground level. We suggest it enhances the welfare of cats in communally housed shelters. This information adds to the body of evidence relating to cat enrichment and can be useful in designing cat housing in veterinary clinics, research laboratories, shelters and domestic homes.
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The olfactory bulbectomy model in mice and rat: One story or two tails? Eur J Pharmacol 2015; 753:105-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Revised: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 10/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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32
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Eban-Rothschild A, Bloch G. The colony environment modulates sleep in honey bee workers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 218:404-11. [PMID: 25524987 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.110619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the most important and evolutionarily conserved roles of sleep is the processing and consolidation of information acquired during wakefulness. In both insects and mammals, environmental and social stimuli can modify sleep physiology and behavior, yet relatively little is known about the specifics of the wake experiences and their relative contribution to experience-dependent modulation of sleep. Honey bees provide an excellent model system in this regard because their behavioral repertoire is well characterized and the environment they experience during the day can be manipulated while keeping an ecologically and sociobiologically relevant context. We examined whether social experience modulates sleep in honey bees, and evaluated the relative contribution of different social signals. We exposed newly emerged bees to different components of their natural social environment and then monitored their sleep behavior in individual cages in a constant lab environment. We found that rich waking experience modulates subsequent sleep. Bees that experienced the colony environment for 1 or 2 days slept more than same-age sister bees that were caged individually or in small groups in the lab. Furthermore, bees placed in mesh-enclosures in the colony, that prevented direct contact with nestmates, slept similarly to bees freely moving in the colony. These results suggest that social signals that do not require direct or close distance interactions between bees are sufficiently rich to encompass almost the entire effect of the colony on sleep. Our findings provide a remarkable example of social experience-dependent modulation of an essential biological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ada Eban-Rothschild
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
| | - Guy Bloch
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
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Wheeler RR, Swan MP, Hickman DL. Effect of multilevel laboratory rat caging system on the well-being of the singly-housed Sprague Dawley rat. Lab Anim 2014; 49:10-9. [PMID: 25117586 DOI: 10.1177/0023677214547404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Current regulations emphasize that good husbandry practices allow animals to engage in species appropriate postural adjustments without touching the enclosure walls. This study evaluated the well-being of rats housed in a commercially available multilevel rat caging system, with or without access to the upper level of the caging. The evaluation methodologies included assessment of behavioral observations in the home cage, physiological assessment of metabolism and immune function, and determination of the affective state using a spatial cognitive bias assay. The study determined that rats that were provided access to the full multilevel cage during testing after initial restriction to the lower level of the cage demonstrated behavioral changes consistent with a positive affective state, while those with no changes to their housing situation had no significant differences in their affective states. Rats that were consistently housed with access restricted to the lower level of the cage exhibited a tendency to increased neutrophil:lymphocyte ratios as compared with those provided with access to all levels of the multilevel cage. There were no differences in body weight demonstrated between the experimental groups. Overall use of the cage space, as documented through analysis of behavioral observations in the home cage, demonstrated no significant differences in preferred location in the cage during the light or dark cycles, though rats with access to both levels of the cage were significantly more active during the light cycle. The results of this study suggest that the use of a multilevel caging system may improve the well-being of rats used in research.
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Affiliation(s)
- R R Wheeler
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - M P Swan
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - D L Hickman
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Telkänranta H, Swan K, Hirvonen H, Valros A. Chewable materials before weaning reduce tail biting in growing pigs. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2014.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Castelhano-Carlos M, Costa PS, Russig H, Sousa N. PhenoWorld: a new paradigm to screen rodent behavior. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e399. [PMID: 26126181 PMCID: PMC4080321 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Modeling depression in animals has inherent complexities that are augmented by intrinsic difficulties to measure the characteristic features of the disorder. Herein, we describe the PhenoWorld (PhW), a new setting in which groups of six rats lived in an ethological enriched environment, and have their feeding, locomotor activity, sleeping and social behavior automatically monitored. A battery of emotional and cognitive tests was used to characterize the behavioral phenotype of animals living in the PhW and in standard conditions (in groups of six and two rats), after exposure to an unpredictable chronic mild stress paradigm (uCMS) and antidepressants. Data reveal that animals living in the PhW displayed similar, but more striking, behavioral differences when exposed to uCMS, such as increased behavioral despair shown in the forced swimming test, resting/sleep behavior disturbances and reduced social interactions. Moreover, several PhW-cage behaviors, such as spontaneous will to go for food or exercise in running wheels, proved to be sensitive indicators of depressive-like behavior. In summary, this new ethological enriched paradigm adds significant discriminative power to screen depressive-like behavior, in particularly rodent's hedonic behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Castelhano-Carlos
- Neuroscience Research Domain, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - P S Costa
- Neuroscience Research Domain, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - H Russig
- TSE Systems GmbH, TSE Systems International Group, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, Germany
| | - N Sousa
- Neuroscience Research Domain, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Mesa-Gresa P, Ramos-Campos M, Redolat R. Behavioral effects of different enriched environments in mice treated with the cholinergic agonist PNU-282987. Behav Processes 2013; 103:117-24. [PMID: 24321613 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2013.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment is an experimental model in which rodents are housed in complex environments that favor lower levels of anxiety-like behavior. PNU-282987 (PNU) is a α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist with beneficial effects on learning though its effects on anxiety are unclear. Our main aim was to carry out a study of its effects in NMRI (n=96) mice reared in different environments: environmental enrichment (EE), Marlau™ cages (MC) and standard environment (SE). After a 4-month period, mice received acute treatment of PNU (2.5, 5 and 10mg/kg) and were evaluated in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and hole-board (HB). In the EPM, both EE and MC reared mice showed an increase in percentage of entries into open arms while those from EE group differed from SE in time spent on open arms. Mice treated with 2.5 and 10 mg/kg of PNU devoted less time to rearing into open arms. In the HB task, MC mice displayed higher exploratory activity reflected in more head-dips (HD) during the first minute than EE and SE, whereas EE displayed low exploration levels reflected in total HD (5 min). Further research is needed in order to clarify the behavioral effects of this nicotinic agonist in interaction with different environmental conditions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: insert SI title.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mesa-Gresa
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat de València, Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Marta Ramos-Campos
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat de València, Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Rosa Redolat
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, Universitat de València, Blasco Ibáñez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain.
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Richter SH, Zeuch B, Riva MA, Gass P, Vollmayr B. Environmental enrichment ameliorates depressive-like symptoms in young rats bred for learned helplessness. Behav Brain Res 2013; 252:287-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2013] [Revised: 06/11/2013] [Accepted: 06/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Mesa-Gresa P, Pérez-Martinez A, Redolat R. Environmental enrichment improves novel object recognition and enhances agonistic behavior in male mice. Aggress Behav 2013; 39:269-79. [PMID: 23588702 DOI: 10.1002/ab.21481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is an experimental paradigm in which rodents are housed in complex environments containing objects that provide stimulation, the effects of which are expected to improve the welfare of these subjects. EE has been shown to considerably improve learning and memory in rodents. However, knowledge about the effects of EE on social interaction is generally limited and rather controversial. Thus, our aim was to evaluate both novel object recognition and agonistic behavior in NMRI mice receiving EE, hypothesizing enhanced cognition and slightly enhanced agonistic interaction upon EE rearing. During a 4-week period half the mice (n = 16) were exposed to EE and the other half (n = 16) remained in a standard environment (SE). On PND 56-57, animals performed the object recognition test, in which recognition memory was measured using a discrimination index. The social interaction test consisted of an encounter between an experimental animal and a standard opponent. Results indicated that EE mice explored the new object for longer periods than SE animals (P < .05). During social encounters, EE mice devoted more time to sociability and agonistic behavior (P < .05) than their non-EE counterparts. In conclusion, EE has been shown to improve object recognition and increase agonistic behavior in adolescent/early adulthood mice. In the future we intend to extend this study on a longitudinal basis in order to assess in more depth the effect of EE and the consistency of the above-mentioned observations in NMRI mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Mesa-Gresa
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology; Universitat de València; Valencia; Spain
| | - Asunción Pérez-Martinez
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology; Universitat de València; Valencia; Spain
| | - Rosa Redolat
- Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology; Universitat de València; Valencia; Spain
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Fuss J, Richter SH, Steinle J, Deubert G, Hellweg R, Gass P. Are you real? Visual simulation of social housing by mirror image stimulation in single housed mice. Behav Brain Res 2013; 243:191-8. [PMID: 23333841 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 01/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Individual housing of social species is a common phenomenon in laboratory animal facilities. Single housing, however, is known to inflict social deprivation with a number of detrimental consequences. Aiming to improve housing conditions of single housed rodents, we investigated the simulation of social housing by mirrors in a series of behavioural experiments and biochemical parameters in mice. We found that chronic mirror-image stimulation increased exploratory behaviours in the holeboard and novel cage tests, but did not alter anxiety, locomotor, or depression-like behaviours. Moreover, no influence on visual recognition memory was observed. Hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, a biomarker for enrichment effects, were unaltered. In line, mirror-image stimulation did not alter home cage behaviour in mice housed with and without mirrors when left undisturbed. Thus, though we found subtle behavioural effects after long-term mirror exposure, we conclude that the simulation of social housing by mirrors is not sufficient to gain the presumably beneficial outcomes induced by social housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Fuss
- RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, J 5, 68159 Mannheim, Germany.
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Abstract
The sleep/wake cycle is arguably the most familiar output of the circadian system, however, sleep is a complex biological process that arises from multiple brain regions and neurotransmitters, which is regulated by numerous physiological and environmental factors. These include a circadian drive for wakefulness as well as an increase in the requirement for sleep with prolonged waking (the sleep homeostat). In this chapter, we describe the regulation of sleep, with a particular emphasis on the contribution of the circadian system. Since their identification, the role of clock genes in the regulation of sleep has attracted considerable interest, and here, we provide an overview of the interplay between specific elements of the molecular clock with the sleep regulatory system. Finally, we summarise the role of the light environment, melatonin and social cues in the modulation of sleep, with a focus on the role of melanopsin ganglion cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon P Fisher
- Biosciences Division, SRI International, Centre for Neuroscience, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA
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The effects of isolated and enriched housing conditions on baseline and drug-induced behavioural responses in the male rat. Behav Brain Res 2012; 234:175-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2012] [Revised: 06/10/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Mitchell EN, Marston HM, Nutt DJ, Robinson ES. Evaluation of an operant successive negative contrast task as a method to study affective state in rodents. Behav Brain Res 2012; 234:155-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2012.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Revised: 06/11/2012] [Accepted: 06/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Simpson J, Bree D, Kelly JP. Effect of early life housing manipulation on baseline and drug-induced behavioural responses on neurochemistry in the male rat. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 37:252-63. [PMID: 22391435 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2011] [Revised: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Employing environmental enrichment (EE) provides continual sources of dynamic interaction for animals. Though an established discipline in behavioural science, the consequences of EE on behavioural pharmacological tests have not been extensively examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the consequences of EE (or isolation housing) on a range of behavioural pharmacological tests and brain monoamine and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the rat. Male rats were randomly assigned to IC (isolation), SC (standard group-housed) or EE conditions. IC and SC animals were housed singly or in groups of four in standard cages, whilst the EE group were housed in groups of four in larger cages enriched with a variety of wooden, cardboard and plastic objects. After 5weeks of housing, its impact on the effects of diazepam (DZP) in the elevated plus maze (EPM); desipramine (DMI) in the forced swim test (FST) and amphetamine (AMP) effects on homecage activity were assessed. Post-mortem monoamine and BDNF levels were analysed using HPLC and ELISA. EE rats displayed reduced activity in the OFT, however no other differences were found in baseline behaviours. DMI reduced immobility time in the FST, but only for rats housed in IC, while AMP effects were somewhat greater for socially-housed animals than those in IC. There were no housing effects on monoamine or BDNF levels in discreet brain regions. The results suggest that post-weaning enrichment had no significant effect on baseline behaviours or monoamine and BDNF levels, thus it is suitable to implement as a commonplace husbandry practice, however, caution must be taken when investigating responsiveness to psychotropic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Simpson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, NUI Galway, Ireland.
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Buijs S, Keeling LJ, Tuyttens FA. Behaviour and use of space in fattening rabbits as influenced by cage size and enrichment. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Abou-Ismail UA. Are the effects of enrichment due to the presence of multiple items or a particular item in the cages of laboratory rat? Appl Anim Behav Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2011.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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