Effects of the duration of individual or group housing on behavioural and adrenocortical reactivity in male mice

Goldsmith, Jennifer F.; Brain, Paul F.; Benton, David

doi:10.1016/0031-9384(78)90015-x

Cited by 59 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The secondary increase in corticosterone paralleled the observed increase of aggression that we observed. Goldsmith et al [17] also reported an increase in corticosterone due to an increase in fighting.…”

Section: Age Effectsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Modulation of aggression in male mice: influence of group size and cage size

Loo

Mol

Koolhaas

et al. 2001

Physiology & Behavior

226

210

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Section: Age Effectsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Modulation of aggression in male mice: influence of group size and cage size

Loo

Mol

Koolhaas

et al. 2001

Physiology & Behavior

226

210

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“…Goldsmith et al [1978] and Van Loo et al [2001, 2002 have reported a similar development of aggression: In newly formed groups, agonistic encounters are necessary to establish a dominance hierarchy. After a dominance hierarchy has been formed, the mice will live in a relatively stable environment for a while, after which aggression will increase again with age.…”

Section: Strain and Age Effectsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Strain‐specific aggressive behavior of male mice submitted to different husbandry procedures

Loo

Meer

Kruitwagen

et al. 2003

Aggressive Behavior

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Severe aggression within groups of male laboratory mice can cause serious welfare problems. Previous experiments have shown that the transfer of specific olfactory cues during cage cleaning and the provision of nesting material decrease aggression and stress in group-housed male mice. In this study, the combined effect of these husbandry procedures was tested for their long-term effect on aggression in two strains of male mice (BALB/c and CD-1). We used postcleaning aggressive behavior, wound counts, and testosterone levels as indicators of aggressiveness. Physiological responses to social challenge were investigated through urinary corticosterone and adrenal tyrosine-hydroxylase measurements. Furthermore, the aggression-modulating effects of two enrichment items (ShepherdShack/DesRes and PVC tube) were explored. Marked differences were found between the two strains. CD-1 mice were more aggressive, had higher testosterone levels but lower corticosterone levels, and had fewer wounds than BALB/c mice. However, in neither of the two strains was long-term enrichment with nesting material and its transfer after cage cleaning effective in lasting reduction of intermale aggression. This may be explained by the fact that aggression levels were generally low. It seems that housing mice in small, socially stable groups or keeping social disturbances to a minimum considerably modulates aggression in group-housed male mice. Mice of both strains housed in cages enriched with nesting material had lower urinary corticosterone levels than standard-housed mice. We therefore conclude that the long-term provision of nesting material, including the transfer of nesting material during cage cleaning, may enhance the welfare of laboratory mice. Aggr. Behav. 29:69-80, 2003.

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“…72 Single housing leads to marked behavioural and physiological effects alone, which mask effects attributable to space allowance. 80,81 Nevertheless, this provides interesting evidence for the effect that group size might have, not only on the animals themselves, but on possible effects on research using such behavioural assessment tools. 72 …”

Section: Animal Densitymentioning

confidence: 97%

Effects of space allocation and housing density on measures of wellbeing in laboratory mice: a review

2012

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In the majority of countries where there are legislative requirements pertaining to the use of animals in research, figures are quoted for minimum cage sizes or space allocation to be provided per animal. These figures are generally based on professional judgement and are in common usage. However, there is a growing trend and expectation that welfare science should inform regulatory decision-making. Given the importance of the potential welfare influences of cage size on the animals themselves, this paper presents the latest scientific knowledge on this topic in one of the most commonly used animals in research, the mouse. A comprehensive review of studies in laboratory mice was undertaken, examining the effects of space allocation per animal and animal density on established welfare indicators. To date, animal density studies have predominated, and the effects of space allocation per se are still relatively unclear. This information will guide those involved in facility management or legislative review, and provide a more solid foundation for further studies into the effects of routine husbandry practices on animal welfare.

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Effects of the duration of individual or group housing on behavioural and adrenocortical reactivity in male mice

Cited by 59 publications

References 10 publications

Modulation of aggression in male mice: influence of group size and cage size

Modulation of aggression in male mice: influence of group size and cage size

Strain‐specific aggressive behavior of male mice submitted to different husbandry procedures

Effects of space allocation and housing density on measures of wellbeing in laboratory mice: a review

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