Publikationsdatenbank

Recording and reducing boredom symptoms in laboratory mice - the semi naturalistic environment (2024)

Art

Hochschulschrift

Autor

Mieske, Paul (WE 11)

Quelle

Berlin: Mensch und Buch Verlag, 2024 — 89 Seiten

ISBN: 978-3-96729-241-1

Sprache

Englisch

Verweise

URL (Volltext): https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/43346

Kontakt

Institut für Tierschutz, Tierverhalten und Versuchstierkunde

Königsweg 67
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 61146
tierschutz@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

Mice kept in laboratories for experimental purposes often experience standardized and low complexity in their housing environments. However, in animal studies, laboratory animals spend most of their time in these housing environments. In some circumstances, this results in monotonous conditions and the expression of boredom. This can manifest itself in behavioral abnormalities or even physiological deficits. To prevent this effect, caging can be enriched. A wide variety of enrichment methods include providing additional enclosure space, keeping animals in large groups, and adding objects to the housing environment. All of these mechanisms provide for the approximation of the housing environment to near-natural conditions. In this research project, three housing conditions of varying complexity were investigated with respect to their influence on boredom symptoms in laboratory mice. The focus was on a semi naturalistic environment (SNE). This is a large enclosure in which the housing area is divided into five levels at different heights. The levels are connected to each other via plastic tunnels and each provides access to water, food and shelter. Two groups of 20 female C57BL6/J mice each were housed in the SNE during the project. The mice were implanted with a transponder at the beginning of the housing period. The transponder information was read via antennas in the SNE using radio frequency identification technology (RFID). Thus, activity and exploration behavior of all individuals could be measured permanently directly in the housing system. Additionally, ethological and physiological parameters were collected. The time course of individual parameters and correlations between parameters allowed for the most comprehensive evaluation of the effect of the enclosure. The semi naturalistic environment had various effects on the female mice. The cumulative movement data showed the emergence of individual differences in the exploration behavior of the animals. Stereotypic behavior that occurred in conventional cage housing was not observed in animals in the SNE. Instead, play behavior was still observed in SNE even in 1.5 year old animals, which is atypical at this advanced age when housed conventionally. In comparison between housing types, animals from SNE achieved the highest body weight and body length. Bone characteristics of the mice appeared to be slightly improved by the SNE and age-related increased bone resorption was reduced. Furthermore, neither of the enriched housing conditions did increase the variance of the measured data. Overall, the suitability of the semi naturalistic environment to reduce boredom symptoms was demonstrated. Application of this alternative housing system in comparative laboratory studies is also possible.