Short communication: Do the tameness of the dams and the sex of the offspring have an influence on the “gentling” effect in laboratory rats?

Zausinger, Pia; Schneider, Barbara M.; Bauer, Alexander; Erhard, Michael; Döring, Dorothea

doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2022.05.004

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…This poses an interdisciplinary challenge for scientists and suppliers to proceed with adaptable variations of cage systems, enrichment tools, hygiene measures, and diets to serve the changing needs of aging animals. Particularly for rats, there are still few choices in commercial systems for the different needs of aging animals with relevant sex-related differences in body mass and social behavior [ 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing environmental enrichment for Sprague Dawley rats: Exemplary insights into the liver proteome

Roschke,

Hillebrandt,

Polenz

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Background Considering the expected increase in the elderly population and the growing emphasis on aging-related biomedical research, the demand for aged laboratory animals has surged, challenging established husbandry practices. Our objective was to establish a cost-effective method for environmental enrichment, utilizing the liver as a representative organ to assess potential metabolic changes in response to differing enrichment levels. Methods We conducted a six-month study involving 24 male Sprague Dawley rats, randomly assigned to four environmental enrichment groups. Two groups were housed in standard cages, while the others were placed in modified rabbit cages. Half of the groups received weekly playtime in an activity focused rat housing unit. We evaluated hormone levels, playtime behavior, and subjective handling experience. Additionally, liver tissue proteomic analysis was performed. Results Initial corticosterone levels and those after 3 and 6 months showed no significant differences. Yet, testosterone levels were lower in the control group by the end of the study (p = 0.007). We observed 1871 distinct proteins in liver tissue, with 77% being common across groups. In gene ontology analysis, no specific pathways were overexpressed. In semiquantitative analysis, we observed differences in proteins associated in lipid metabolism such as Apolipoprotein A-I and Acyl-CoA 6-desaturase, which were lower in the control group (p = 0.024 and p = 0.009). Rats in the intervention groups with weekly playtime displayed the least amount of reported distress during inspection or upon room entry and were less prone to accepting treats. Removing animals from their enclosure was most effortless for those in the large cage group. Over time, there was a decrease in conflicts among rats that interacted only twice weekly during playpen time. Discussion In summary, refining husbandry practices for aging rats is both simple and budget-friendly, with no apparent adverse effects on stress levels, animal development, or relevant metabolic changes in the liver.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%