The effect of different working definitions on behavioral research involving stereotypies in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Many sources of variation in animal experiments are related to characteristics of the animal or its husbandry conditions. In ethologic studies, observational methods can also affect interexperimental variation. Different descriptions for a behavior can lead to divergent findings that may be incorrectly attributed to other factors if not recognized as stemming from a classification dissonance.

Intraperitoneal versus subcutaneous telemetry devices in young Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Radiotelemetry has become a very popular biotelemetric tool for measuring physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and muscle activity, as well as general behavioural activity in undisturbed, freely moving animals. In most studies using this technique, adult subjects are used. However, sometimes an ontogenetic approach is required to clarify whether changes in one parameter are preceeded or followed by changes in another parameter.

Approaches to teaching animal welfare at 13 veterinary schools worldwide.

This paper comprises brief descriptions by faculty at 13 veterinary schools in Europe, North America, South America, and Australasia that summarize undergraduate training in animal welfare at the respective schools and how students are assessed.

Paradoxical rate-dependent effect of fluoxetine on captivity-induced stereotypies in bank voles.

Treatment of stereotypies in human and animal clinics is still empirical due to our incomplete understanding of underlying mechanisms. As a consequence, experimental studies in controlled laboratory conditions are necessary. Bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), housed in barren laboratory cages, often develop stereotyped up-and-down jumping even before the age of 1 month.

To enrich or not to enrich: providing shelter does not complicate handling of laboratory mice.

Environmental enrichment (EE) is used in laboratory animal housing to provide stimuli exceeding those of barren cages and is intended to improve the welfare of captive animals. It is argued that when laboratory mice can routinely retreat in sheltering objects when humans are present, they do not habituate to humans and continue to shy away, thereby increasing the time needed for husbandry and testing procedures. To this date very limited research has been carried out to determine whether providing EE in the form of shelter interferes with the habituation of mice to humans and thus complicates catching and handling them.