Effects of Transfer from Breeding to Research Facility on the Welfare of Rats

Animals

Johanna W. M. Arts¹  Nynke R. Oosterhuis¹  Klaas Kramer¹ 

[1] Department of Animals in Science & Society, Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands; E-Mails:

关键词: transportation;    transfer;    body temperature;    ambient temperature;    glucose;    corticosterone;    behavior;    Thermochron iButton;    rats;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ani4040712

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

This study measured effects of transfer on body temperature, stress hormone levels, body weight, behavior and water and food intake in rats. Environmental temperature strongly affected body temperature of rats and needs to be controlled. Male rats need to habituate for at least one week, females for two weeks after transfer.

Transfer from the breeding facility to a research facility is a stressful event for laboratory animals. Heat stress has been reported to constitute one of the major concerns during transport of animals. This study measured ambient and body temperature, corticosterone and glucose levels, body weight, behavior and water and food intake before, during and after transfer in Wistar rats. Decreased body weight, water and food intake were observed on the day of transfer in rats. Environmental temperature strongly affected body temperature of rats and needs to be controlled. Male rats need to habituate for at least one week, females for two weeks after transfer.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.