Preparation of animals for research—issues to consider for rodents and rabbits
Abstract
This article provides details to consider when preparing to use animals in biomedical research. The stress of transport and receipt of animals into a new environment mandate the need for a period of stabilization and acclimation. This allotment of time often occurs in conjunction with the quarantine period and permits a stress "recovery" period. Discussions in the article include specific effects of the environment on the animal, such as housing and environmental enrichment. Suggestions are offered regarding how to minimize the effects of procedures and equipment through the use of preconditioning techniques. Guidelines for these techniques and for acclimation should be instituted by the institutional animal care and use committee. Stress and distress are placed in perspective as they relate to the preparation of laboratory animals for research.
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Physiological acclimatisation after a stressful event, such as transport, but before the experiment begins allows stabilisation of physiological responses of the animal.
“Physiological acclimatisation after a stressful event, such as transport (e.g., between supplier, animal facility, operating theatre, and laboratory), but before the experiment begins allows stabilisation of physiological responses of the animal [137,138].”
From Reporting animal research: Explanation and elaboration for the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 (2020) · cites this paper as [138]
Cites
Neural consequences of enviromental enrichment
van Praag, H., Kempermann, G., & Gage, F. H. (2000) · Nature Reviews Neuroscience · doi:10.1038/35044558 · Cited by 2,468 · see citing works
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Reporting animal research: Explanation and elaboration for the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0
Percie du Sert, N., Ahluwalia, A., Alam, S., Avey, M. T., Baker, M., Browne, W. J., Clark, A., Cuthill, I. C., Dirnagl, U., Emerson, M., et al. (2020) · PLOS Biology · doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3000411 · Cited by 2,677 · see citing works
- Authors
- Conour, L. A., Murray, K. A., & Brown, M. J.
- Affiliations
- Charles River Laboratories (United States) (US)
- Corresponding author
- Conour, L. A.
- Venue
- ILAR Journal
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2006-01-01
- Volume
- 47
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 283-293
- ISSN
- 1084-2020 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2162247838
- Cited by
- 98
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.92
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- ILAR Journal (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal testing and alternatives
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Animal Behavior and Welfare Studies
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Keywords
- animal transport, quarantine, stress recovery, environmental enrichment, animal housing, preconditioning, laboratory animals, rodents, rabbits, animal welfare, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
- MeSH terms
- Acclimatization, Animals, Animal Welfare, Animals, Laboratory, Housing, Animal, Laboratory Animal Science, Quarantine, Rabbits, Rodentia, Species Specificity, Stress, Psychological, Transportation, Guidelines as Topic
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