The analgesic effects of oral paracetamol in two strains of mice undergoing vasectomy

Dickinson, Amy L; Leach, Matthew C.; Flecknell, P. A.

doi:10.1258/la.2009.009005

Cited by 36 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…The frequency of pain-related behaviours assessed using a manual scoring system (composite pain score) showed a similar pattern to that of the MGS and successfully differentiated between both the pre and post-operative periods, and the effects of analgesic treatment compared to control (saline). Those behaviours that have been previously shown to change in response to post-operative pain [4], [5], [16] were highly correlated with the MGS. The animals showing high MGS also exhibited high composite pain scores, high frequencies of wound licking and grooming and low frequencies of rearing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

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The Assessment of Post-Vasectomy Pain in Mice Using Behaviour and the Mouse Grimace Scale

et al. 2012

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BackgroundCurrent behaviour-based pain assessments for laboratory rodents have significant limitations. Assessment of facial expression changes, as a novel means of pain scoring, may overcome some of these limitations. The Mouse Grimace Scale appears to offer a means of assessing post-operative pain in mice that is as effective as manual behavioural-based scoring, without the limitations of such schemes. Effective assessment of post-operative pain is not only critical for animal welfare, but also the validity of science using animal models.Methodology/Principal FindingsThis study compared changes in behaviour assessed using both an automated system (“HomeCageScan”) and using manual analysis with changes in facial expressions assessed using the Mouse Grimace Scale (MGS). Mice (n = 6/group) were assessed before and after surgery (scrotal approach vasectomy) and either received saline, meloxicam or bupivacaine. Both the MGS and manual scoring of pain behaviours identified clear differences between the pre and post surgery periods and between those animals receiving analgesia (20 mg/kg meloxicam or 5 mg/kg bupivacaine) or saline post-operatively. Both of these assessments were highly correlated with those showing high MGS scores also exhibiting high frequencies of pain behaviours. Automated behavioural analysis in contrast was only able to detect differences between the pre and post surgery periods.ConclusionsIn conclusion, both the Mouse Grimace Scale and manual scoring of pain behaviours are assessing the presence of post-surgical pain, whereas automated behavioural analysis could be detecting surgical stress and/or post-surgical pain. This study suggests that the Mouse Grimace Scale could prove to be a quick and easy means of assessing post-surgical pain, and the efficacy of analgesic treatment in mice that overcomes some of the limitations of behaviour-based assessment schemes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

“…The study by Langford and colleagues [9] represents the first successful attempt to assess pain via changes in facial expression in any animal species. Post-vasectomy changes in behaviour have been successfully assessed in various mouse strains using both manual and automated behavioural analysis [4], [5], [16].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Assessment of Post-Vasectomy Pain in Mice Using Behaviour and the Mouse Grimace Scale

et al. 2012

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“…Previous investigations in vasectomised mice have shown that the vasectomy resulted in behavioural changes indicative of pain [18,33,86]. However, conclusions drawn from FCM in relation to vasectomy vary depending on the sampling method [33,86] and how corticosterone levels are expressed [31,43].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Due to the increased use of genetically modified mice, vasectomy is a common surgical procedure in laboratory animal facilities. The traditional procedure of vasectomy involves tissue injury and interference of the abdominal cavity and has been shown to result in behavioural changes indicative of pain [18,33,86]. Furthermore, the procedure requires general anaesthesia, which may be a significant stressor for the animals [78].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effect of isoflurane anaesthesia and vasectomy on circulating corticosterone and ACTH in BALB/c mice

Jacobsen

Kalliokoski

Teilmann

et al. 2012

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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“…5,6 Use of automated systems not only reduces time constraints but also minimizes observer bias. The validity of this system is based on having been shown to be as effective as manual scoring of mouse behaviour for a range of specific Laboratory Animals 2012; 46: 304 -310…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of abdominal and scrotal approach methods of vasectomy and the influence of analgesic treatment in laboratory mice

et al. 2012

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Vasectomized mice are needed in the production of genetically-modified animals. The BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/UFAW Joint Working Group on Refinement recommended that vasectomy should be performed via an incision in the scrotal sac, rather than via laparotomy, arguing that the former could be less painful due to minimal tissue trauma. This study was undertaken to assess the validity of this recommendation. Mice underwent vasectomy via either abdominal or scrotal approach surgery. Mice were filmed for 15 min presurgery and at one, 24 and 48 h postsurgery. Data were obtained using automated behaviour recognition software (HomeCageScan). Meloxicam was administered either alone or combined with acetaminophen prior to surgery. A third group received only saline subcutaneously. Postsurgery behaviour changes were compared between groups at each time point. Exploratory behaviours such as rearing, walking and sniffing were most greatly reduced at one hour following surgery whereas the duration of grooming increased. By 48 h these changes had largely subsided. Results indicated mice undergoing scrotal approach surgery fared better at one hour postsurgery, but the magnitude of this was relatively insignificant compared with the overall effects of surgery. If the observed behaviour changes resulted from pain, results suggested there was no significant advantage of scrotal versus abdominal approach vasectomy. These and other recently obtained data on the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in mice suggest considerably larger doses of these or more potent analgesics, more precise monitoring of surgical outcomes, or a combination of these factors are needed to determine the extent of pain experienced by mice undergoing vasectomy. Of the total number of animals used in regulated procedures in the UK, genetically-modified animals has increased from 8% (1995) to 54% in 2010. 1 Almost all of these animals were mice, of which a significant proportion being males undergoing vasectomy for inducing pseudopregnancy in females for transgenic animal production. It is presently unknown whether these mice, and those currently involved in these types of studies, experience pain. Despite virtually no supporting evidence the BVAAWF/FRAME/RSPCA/ UFAW Joint Working Group on Refinement 2 recommended vasectomy should be performed via scrotal approach surgery, where the vas deferens could be accessed via a relatively minor incision. By comparison with laparotomy, avoiding incising the abdominal muscles bearing the weight of the viscera (ca. 30% of body mass) 2 was considered likely to be less painful. However, scrotal approach vasectomy also involves dissection and tearing of tissue to access the vas deferens, so significant postoperative pain remains likely.Behavioural analysis is a key method of identifying pain postsurgery in rats and mice. In addition to suppression of normal behaviours including walking and rearing, a range of discrete identifiable acts have been characterized following vasectomy including; belly pressin...

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The analgesic effects of oral paracetamol in two strains of mice undergoing vasectomy

Cited by 36 publications

References 15 publications

The Assessment of Post-Vasectomy Pain in Mice Using Behaviour and the Mouse Grimace Scale

The Assessment of Post-Vasectomy Pain in Mice Using Behaviour and the Mouse Grimace Scale

The effect of isoflurane anaesthesia and vasectomy on circulating corticosterone and ACTH in BALB/c mice

A comparison of abdominal and scrotal approach methods of vasectomy and the influence of analgesic treatment in laboratory mice

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