The impact of huts on physiological stress: a refinement in post-transport housing of male guineapigs (Cavia porcellus)

Abstract

The ideal animal model would contribute no confounding variables in experimental science. Variables affect experimental design resulting in increased animal use or repeated studies. We demonstrated a simple refinement which may reduce the number of animals used experimentally while simultaneously improving animal welfare. The objective of this study was to determine if the presence of a hut was an impact on physiological stress levels, as determined by faecal cortisol concentration, during a routine four-day acclimatization period of newly received male Hartley-Outbred guineapigs. We hypothesized that those animals provided with huts would have decreased physiological stress compared with animals not provided with huts. We examined this effect within both paired and single-housed animals. A between-subjects one-way analysis of variance revealed that pair-housed animals with a hut had significantly lower faecal cortisol concentration than pair-housed animals without a hut and the presence and absence of a hut had no significant impact on faecal cortisol concentration in single-housed animals. These findings show that presence of a hut is beneficial in reducing physiological stress when pair housing male guineapigs and does not appear to have an impact when single housing male guineapigs. In addition, we have shown that faecal cortisol, and therefore physiological stress, is still increasing on study day 4 suggesting a longer acclimatization period is necessary. A simple refinement in housing environment and acclimatization time can both reduce the number of animals used experimentally and improve animal welfare. The guineapig has been used as a research model for decades.1 The physiological response of this species makes it an ideal animal model for multiple research applications such as anaphylaxis, delayed hypersensitivity and pharmacology, to name a few. In experimental design we minimize as many of these variables as possible by using, for example, controlled breeding practices, health surveillance and sentinel monitoring programmes. Another method of maintaining uniformity in our animal models is consistency in animal husbandry practices. One of these practices is the quarantine and stabilization 2 period provided to animals upon receipt into research facilities, the objective of which is to provide time for recovery from transport and identify animals which are unwell or less than ideal. Once complete it is commonly accepted, that unless grossly apparent otherwise, these animals are physiologically, behaviourally and nutritionally recovered from transport and therefore in model animal condition. Since we generally only employ observational signs of wellbeing such as water and food consumption, faeces and urine output along with physical appearance (i.e. posture, body condition, behaviour), we may be unaware of other subclinical factors that are still present. These unrecognized, and as such uncorrected, variables may result in profound consequences on research objectives 3 leading to repeated studie...

Physical and Physiological Indicators of Welfare in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus) Serving as Ambassador Animals

“…Thus, we also investigated whether the transitions of moving on from off exhibit or vice versa result in a change in glucocorticoid levels. Related to this, Walters et al (2012) demonstrated that glucocorticoids were still increasing four days after a four-day transport in laboratory housed guinea pigs [22] and Stemkens-Sevens et al (2009) found that guinea pigs required a 10 to 12 day period for heart rate, body temperature, and activity levels to return to pre-transport levels; the transports lasted between two and eight hours in that study [23]. We analyzed glucocorticoid levels over time during a period of housing, on or off exhibit, to determine whether guinea pigs show evidence of habituation in terms of glucocorticoid levels.…”

Rodent and Rabbit Welfare in the Research Environment

“…While it is likely that hormonal indicators of heightened stress, such as serum corticosterone levels, return to baseline in 24 h or less after transportation in rodents and rabbits (Tuli et al, 1995;Liste et al, 2009), and other physiologic parameters, such as heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and food and water consumption return to baseline levels within several days (Toth and January, 1990;Capdevila et al, 2006), other indices, such as activity levels, behavior, or reproduction may take a week or longer to stabilize after transportation (Tuli et al, 1995;Stemkins-Sevens et al, 2009). Pair housing of guinea pigs upon arrival and provision of an in-cage shelter to paired animals has been found to increase the acclimation rate of guinea pigs following transportation (Walters et al, 2012). Pair housing of guinea pigs upon arrival and provision of an in-cage shelter to paired animals has been found to increase the acclimation rate of guinea pigs following transportation (Walters et al, 2012).…”

Effect of Intramuscular Injection on Oxidative Homeostasis in Laboratory Guinea Pig Model

“…Stress caused by manipulation or inconvenient housing may lead to alteration of results in separate experiments. E. g., presence or an absence of huts can significantly influent a level of stress hormones in laboratory guinea pig (16).…”