Effects of non-aversive versus tail-lift handling on breeding productivity in a C57BL/6J mouse colony.

ABSTRACT: Non-aversive handling is a well-documented refinement measure for improving rodent welfare. Because maternal stress is related to reduced productivity, we hypothesized that welfare benefits associated with non-aversive handling would translate to higher production and fewer litters lost in a laboratory mouse breeding colony. We performed a randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of a standard method of handling (tail-lift with forceps) versus non-aversive handling with transfer tunnels ('tunnel-handled') on breeding performance in 59 C57BL/6J mouse pairs. Intervention assignments could not be concealed from technicians, but were concealed from assessors and data analyst. An operationally significant effect of tunnel-handling (large enough differences to warrant programmatic chan

SUBMITTER: Hull MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8797240 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature