Hang on: An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice
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Hang on : An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice. / Gjendal, K.; Sørensen, D. B.; Kiersgaard, M. K.; Ottesen, J. L.
I: Animal Welfare, Bind 26, Nr. 4, 11.2017, s. 437-447.Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Hang on
T2 - An evaluation of the hemp rope as environmental enrichment in C57BL/6 mice
AU - Gjendal, K.
AU - Sørensen, D. B.
AU - Kiersgaard, M. K.
AU - Ottesen, J. L.
PY - 2017/11
Y1 - 2017/11
N2 - When introducing environmental enrichment in laboratory animals, positive and/or negative effects on behavioural and physiological parameters should be evaluated. This three-step randomised controlled trial in male C57BL/6 mice investigated the effect of supplementing the environment with one or more hemp ropes. In part 1, the effect of a hemp rope on aggressive and social behaviour, stress and anxiety levels was assessed by social interaction test, elevated plus maze behaviour, and faecal corticosterone metabolites, respectively (n = 224 mice). In part 2, the effect of 1, 2 or 7 hemp ropes on aggressive behaviour in mice subjected to routine handling was evaluated by assessing the number of wounded companion animals and wounds per animal (n = 224). In part 3, climbing activity in the rope and amount of material shredded from the rope was assessed (n = 56). Mice housed with one hemp rope engaged in social behaviour for longer time than mice housed without a hemp rope, while no difference was detected in stress and anxiety levels. No difference was seen in the number of wounded animals or wounds per animal when adding 1, 2 or 7 hemp ropes to the existing environment in mice undergoing minimal human handling. The mice continuously shredded and climbed the rope, even when provided with a new rope, although time spent climbing decreased slightly over time. Thus, a hemp rope can be used as additional environmental enrichment amongst male C57BL/6 mice.
AB - When introducing environmental enrichment in laboratory animals, positive and/or negative effects on behavioural and physiological parameters should be evaluated. This three-step randomised controlled trial in male C57BL/6 mice investigated the effect of supplementing the environment with one or more hemp ropes. In part 1, the effect of a hemp rope on aggressive and social behaviour, stress and anxiety levels was assessed by social interaction test, elevated plus maze behaviour, and faecal corticosterone metabolites, respectively (n = 224 mice). In part 2, the effect of 1, 2 or 7 hemp ropes on aggressive behaviour in mice subjected to routine handling was evaluated by assessing the number of wounded companion animals and wounds per animal (n = 224). In part 3, climbing activity in the rope and amount of material shredded from the rope was assessed (n = 56). Mice housed with one hemp rope engaged in social behaviour for longer time than mice housed without a hemp rope, while no difference was detected in stress and anxiety levels. No difference was seen in the number of wounded animals or wounds per animal when adding 1, 2 or 7 hemp ropes to the existing environment in mice undergoing minimal human handling. The mice continuously shredded and climbed the rope, even when provided with a new rope, although time spent climbing decreased slightly over time. Thus, a hemp rope can be used as additional environmental enrichment amongst male C57BL/6 mice.
KW - Aggression
KW - Animal welfare
KW - Environmental enrichment
KW - Mice
KW - Stress
KW - Wounds
U2 - 10.7120/09627286.26.4.437
DO - 10.7120/09627286.26.4.437
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85032271240
VL - 26
SP - 437
EP - 447
JO - Animal Welfare
JF - Animal Welfare
SN - 0962-7286
IS - 4
ER -
ID: 185757767