Environmental Enrichment for Laboratory Animals

1998 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-181
Author(s):  
Paul Townsend
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Laboratory Animals

scholarly journals Environmental Enrichment of Nonhuman Primates, Dogs and Rabbits Used in Toxicology Studies

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 132-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn A.L. Bayne
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Scientific Enterprise ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Animal Care

The increasing emphasis on the provision of environmental enrichment to laboratory animals, vis-à-vis the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC 1996), and a potential forthcoming policy from the USDA on the subject, can be difficult to accommodate in a toxicology research environment. A summary will be provided of current requirements and recommendations. Then, strategies for meeting regulatory requirements will be described for non-rodent animals used in toxicology research. These strategies will address methods of both social enrichment, such as pair or group housing, as well as non-social enrichment, such as cage furniture, food enrichments, and toys. In addition, the value of positive interactions with staff (e.g., through training paradigms or socialization programs) will also be discussed. Apparent in the discussion of these strategies will be an overarching recognition of the necessity to avoid introducing confounding variables into the research project and to avoid compromising animal health. The roles of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the attending veterinarian in helping scientists balance animal well-being, the scientific enterprise and the regulatory environment will be described.

Simple shelter-style environmental enrichment alters behavior in mice

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey Coke-Murphy ◽  
Matthew Buendia ◽  
Tommy Saborido ◽  
Gregg Stanwood
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Strain Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
Elevated Maze ◽  
Improved Learning ◽  
And Behavior

AbstractEnvironmental enrichment aims to improve the well-being of laboratory animals and provides an opportunity to improve experimental reliability and validity. Animals raised in more stimulating environments have improved learning and memory as well as more complex brain architecture. However, the effects of environmental enrichment on motor performance, anxiety and emotional development have been poorly studied. Moreover, most investigators studying the effects of enrichment provide extremely large and complex housing conditions to maximize the likelihood of finding effects. These situations are difficult to replicate across animal facilities and are not operationally practical. In this experiment, we investigated how simple, inexpensive disposable shelterstyle enrichment items alter behavior in C57Bl/6 and 129S6 mice. Breeding pairs were established in the presence of a Ketchum “Refuge”, Shepherd Shack “Dome”, or no enrichment. Offspring were assessed neurobehaviorally, either just after weaning (pre-adolescent, P22–P25), or as young adults (P60–P90). Major strain differences were observed in open field activity, elevated maze exploration, and Y-maze activity levels. The presence of the Refuge and/or Dome enrichment shelters significantly altered motor activity, coordination and some measures of anxiety. Mice housed in the presence of shelters were also less dominant than control mice in a tube test assay. Our experiments provide a detailed analysis of the effects of inexpensive and practical methods of housing enrichment on biobehavioral phenotypes in these two commonly used strains of laboratory mice, and suggest that the effects of these shelters on mouse neurobiology and behavior need to be rigorously analyzed before being adopted within vivariums.

scholarly journals Preferences for nesting material as environmental enrichment for laboratory mice

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Van de Weerd ◽  
P. L. P. Van Loo ◽  
L. F. M. Van Zutphen ◽  
J. M. Koolhaas ◽  
V. Baumans
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Laboratory Mice ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Specific Behaviour ◽  
Nesting Material ◽  
Species Specific

Behavioural and psychological needs of laboratory animals generally cannot adequately be met in standard laboratory cages. Environmental enrichment, which provides a more structured environment can enhance the well-being of laboratory animals. They may perform more of their species-specific behaviour and may control their environment in a better way. An easily applicable form of enrichment for laboratory mice is nesting material. Six different types of nesting materials were evaluated in a preference test with male and female animals of two strains (C57BL/6J or BALB/c, n=48). No significant differences in preference were found between the strains or between the sexes. All mice showed a clear preference for cages with tissues or towels as compared to paper strips or no nesting material, and for cages with cotton string or wood-wool as compared to wood shavings or no nesting material. Paper-derived materials were preferred over wood-derived materials, although the results also suggest that the nature (paper or wood) of the nesting material is less important than its structure, which determines the nestability of the material. Nesting material may be a relatively simple method to contribute to the well-being of laboratory mice.

Alteration of Energy Metabolism and Antioxidative Processing in the Hippocampus of Rats Reared in Long-Term Environmental Enrichment

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 186-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Kang ◽  
Dong-Hee Choi ◽  
Su-Kang Kim ◽  
Jongmin Lee ◽  
Youn-Jung Kim
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Synaptic Activity ◽  
Antioxidant Defenses ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Oxidative Stress Marker ◽  
Altered Expression

Environmental enrichment (EE) is a typical experimental method that promotes levels of novelty and complexity that enhance experience-dependent neuroplasticity and cognitive behavior function in laboratory animals. Early EE is associated with resilience in the face of later-life challenges. Since increased synaptic activity enhances endogenous neuronal antioxidant defenses, we hypothesized that long-term EE beginning at an early stage may alter the levels of oxidative stress. We investigated global protein expression and oxidative stress in hippocampal proteins from rats nurtured for a 6-month EE beginning in the prenatal period. The analysis of protein expression was carried out using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis with matrix-associated laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Proteins with altered expression were involved in energy metabolism (phosphoglycerate mutase 1, α-enolase isoform 1, adenylate kinase 1, and triose phosphate isomerase) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase 1, glutathione S-transferase ω type 1, peroxiredoxin 5, DJ-1, and glial maturation factor β). Using Western blot assays, some of the proteins with altered expression and NADPH oxidase 2 were confirmed to be decreased. Further confirmation was demonstrated with attenuated expression of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-deoxyguanine, a DNA oxidative stress marker, in the hippocampus of EE group rats. Our data demonstrate that a long-term EE program beginning in the prenatal and early postnatal phase of development modulates energy metabolism and reduced oxidant stress possibly through enhanced synaptic activity. We provide evidence that EE can be developed as a tool to protect the brain from oxidative stress-induced injury.

Environmental Enrichment and Neuronal Plasticity

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory D. Clemenson ◽  
Fred H. Gage ◽  
Craig E.L. Stark
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Neuronal Plasticity ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Complete Understanding ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Spatial Exploration ◽  
The Brain

This chapter reviews the literature on environmental enrichment and specifically discusses its influence on the hippocampus of the brain. In animal models, the term “environmental enrichment” is used to describe a well-defined manipulation in which animals are exposed to a larger and more stimulating environment. This experience has been shown to have a powerful and positive impact on hippocampal cognition and neuroplasticity in animals. In humans, however, the translation of environmental enrichment is less clear. Despite the fact that humans live considerably more enriching lives compared to laboratory animals, studies have shown that training and expertise (such as exercise and spatial exploration) can lead to both functional and structural changes in the human brain. This chapter is a comprehensive review of environmental enrichment, drawing parallels between animal models and humans to present a more complete understanding of environmental enrichment.

scholarly journals Stress Evaluation of Various Breeding Environments in Mouse

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
GwangHoon Lee ◽  
Hye-Yoon Choi ◽  
Woori Jo ◽  
KilSoo Kim
Keyword(s):  
Animal Study ◽  
Laboratory Animal ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Stress Evaluation ◽  
Physiological Indicators ◽  
Group Breeding ◽  
Fixed Space ◽  
The Individual

Laboratory animals are raised in a fixed space during the study period and are environmentally bound. Laboratory animal may be under stress on the constrained environment, which changes physiological indicators, affecting the reproducibility and accuracy of animal study. Therefore, reducing animal stress by providing proper breeding environment and environmental enrichment can be the basis for animal study. In this study, the stress level was assessed according to the mouse breeding environment. According to the results of the experiment, it was determined that the individual ventilation cage had less cortisol concentration in serum and body weight increased in the individual ventilation cage than individual isolated cage, when providing environmental enrichment rather than group breeding or not providing environmental enrichment. The results will provide appropriate guidelines for laboratory animal welfare.

scholarly journals Enrichment Increases Aggression in Zebrafish

Fishes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Woodward ◽  
Lucy Winder ◽  
Penelope Watt
Keyword(s):  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Structural Complexity ◽  
Mirror Image ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Fertilisation Success ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Effect Of Treatment ◽  
Over Time

Environmental enrichment, or the enhancement of an animal’s surroundings when in captivity to maximise its wellbeing, has been increasingly applied to fish species, particularly those used commercially. Laboratory species could also benefit from enrichment, but it is not always clear what constitutes an enriched environment. The zebrafish, Danio rerio, is used widely in research and is one of the most commonly-used laboratory animals. We investigated whether changing the structural complexity of housing tanks altered the behaviour of one strain of zebrafish. Fish were kept in three treatments: (1) very enhanced (VE); (2) mildly enhanced (ME); and (3) control (CT). Level of aggression, fertilisation success, and growth were measured at regular intervals in a subset of fish in each treatment group. The VE fish were more aggressive over time than either ME or CT fish, both in the number of attacks they made against a mirror image and in their tendency to stay close to their reflection rather than avoid it. Furthermore, VE fish were shorter than CT fish by the end of the experiment, though mass was not significantly affected. There was no significant effect of treatment on fertilisation success. These findings suggest that the way in which fish are housed in the laboratory can significantly affect their behaviour, and potentially, their growth. The zebrafish is a shoaling species with a dominance hierarchy, and so may become territorial over objects placed in the tank. The enrichment of laboratory tanks should consider aspects of the species’ behaviour.

scholarly journals The effects of auditory enrichment on zebrafish behavior and physiology

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heloísa H. A. Barcellos ◽  
Gessi Koakoski ◽  
Fabiele Chaulet ◽  
Karina S. Kirsten ◽  
Luiz C. Kreutz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Responses ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Classical Music ◽  
Aquatic Organism ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Behavioral Repertoire ◽  
Immune Biomarkers ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Musical Sounds

Environmental enrichment is widely used to improve welfare and behavioral performance of animal species. It ensures housing of laboratory animals in environments with space and complexity that enable the expression of their normal behavioral repertoire. Auditory enrichment by exposure to classical music decreases abnormal behaviors and endocrine stress responses in humans, non-humans primates, and rodents. However, little is known about the role of auditory enrichment in laboratory zebrafish. Given the growing importance of zebrafish for neuroscience research, such studies become critical. To examine whether auditory enrichment by classical music can affect fish behavior and physiology, we exposed adult zebrafish to 2 h of Vivaldi’s music (65–75 dB) twice daily, for 15 days. Overall, zebrafish exposed to such auditory stimuli were less anxious in the novel tank test and less active, calmer in the light-dark test, also affecting zebrafish physiological (immune) biomarkers, decreasing peripheral levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increasing the activity of some CNS genes, without overt effects on whole-body cortisol levels. In summary, we report that twice-daily exposure to continuous musical sounds may provide benefits over the ongoing 50–55 dB background noise of equipment in the laboratory setting. Overall, our results support utilizing auditory enrichment in laboratory zebrafish to reduce stress and improve welfare in this experimental aquatic organism.

scholarly journals Legal Frameworks and Controls for the Protection of Research Animals: A Focus on the Animal Welfare Body with a French Case Study

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 695
Author(s):  
Elisa Codecasa ◽  
Patrick Pageat ◽  
Míriam Marcet-Rius ◽  
Alessandro Cozzi
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Research Quality ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
Enrichment Programs ◽  
French Case ◽  
Legal Frameworks

In recent years, efforts have been devoted to improving the welfare of laboratory animals. Scientific progress and growing concerns over animal harm have pushed institutions to strengthen their laws to make science more humane and responsible. European Directive 2010/63/EU makes it mandatory for breeders, suppliers and users of laboratory animals to have an animal welfare body (AWB) to prioritize animal welfare and harmonize experimental standards while reassuring the public that research is being carried out appropriately. Based on application of the three Rs (refinement, reduction and replacement), these bodies provide staff with oversight and advisory functions to support compliance with the legal requirements on both animal housing and project realization. This review aims to present the legal measures protecting research animals, with a focus on European AWBs. The review explains how the mission of AWBs includes development of environmental enrichment programs and how animal training generates benefits not only for animal welfare but also for the research work environment and research quality. A French case study is conducted to provide the scientific community with an example of an AWB’s functioning and activities, share its achievements and propose some perspectives for the future.

scholarly journals Environmental enrichment for laboratory animals in practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
N. KOSTOMITSOPOULOS (Ν. ΚΩΣΤΟΜΗΤΣΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ)
Keyword(s):  
Physical Environment ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Group Formation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Laboratory Animals ◽  
The Social ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Impact

During the last decades there has been an increased scientific interest in the improvement of housing conditions for laboratory animals by providing them with opportunities to perform more species - specific behavioural repertoires through enriching their environment. Environmental enrichment is, by definition, any modification in the environment of the captive animals that seeks to enhance their physical and physiological wellbeing by providing stimuli that meet the animals' species-specific needs. An enrichment scheme can be focused on the social and the physical environment. The social environment of animals can be enriched by housing them together with conspecifics in pairs or in groups. Procedures to achieve group formation need careful introduction of individuals which are compatible, a factor which is strongly dependent upon age, sex and hierarchical rank. Social housing will be beneficial only if the pairs or groups are harmonious and stable. The close contact with humans could be also considered as social improvement. Strategies to improve physical environment of laboratory animals should include provision of stimuli (materials or devices) that are biologically meaningful to them, with which they can choose to interact or not and which are not harmful to them. In practice, any enrichment scheme should be well designed before its implementation. In depth knowledge of the behavioural needs of the animals is prerequisite. Close collaboration between the scientific and the technical personnel is also necessary. Environmental changes need to be carefully evaluated in order to establish whether the improvement of animal welfare has been really achieved and to determine the impact on the obtained experimental results. The assessment of improved well-being as a result of environmental changes is based on a complex of behavioural and physiological parameters.

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