Development and reproductive performance of Swiss mice in an enriched environment

Brazilian Journal of Biology

Afu. Carvalho¹  Aj. Araújo¹  Df. Farias¹  Lcb. Rocha-bezerra¹  Mg. Cavalheiro¹ 

[1] ,Universidade Federal do Ceará Departamento de Biologia Laboratório de Fisiologia AnimalFortaleza CE ,Brazil

关键词: environmental enrichment;    development;    reproductive performance;    mice;    enriquecimento ambiental;    desenvolvimento;    performance reprodutiva;    camundongo;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1519-69842009000100020

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

The present study investigated the effects of environment enrichment on the development and reproductive performance of an outbred Swiss strain. Physical enrichment consisted of free access of animals to tubular devices of different shapes and sizes. The development evaluation was done by monitoring growth rate during 39 days, from weaning (21 days) to the onset of sexual maturity (60 days of age). Over five consecutive gestations (105 days), the following variables were monitored: litter size, number of animals born alive; number of pups alive at 12 hours and on days 4, 9, 12, 15 and 18; number of animals weaned per litter; average weight of litters on days 4, 9, 12, 15 and 18. The reproductive performance was then evaluated using the inclusion of these variables in the indices of gestation and birth, viability, lactation, survival success, mating success and production. The results showed that the environmental enrichment did not influence, in a significant way, the evaluated parameters. However, there is no reason to deprive the animals from an enriched environment where they can develop their natural instinctive behaviour and guarantee health and well-being.

【 授权许可】

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