Effects of separated pair housing of female C57BL/6JRj mice on well-being.

ABSTRACT: In laboratory animal facilities, it is a common code of practice to house female mice in groups. However, some experimental conditions require to house them individually, even though social isolation may impair their well-being. Therefore, we introduced a separated pair housing system and investigated whether it can refine single housing of adult female C57BL/6JRj mice. Individually ventilated cages (IVC) were divided by perforated transparent walls to separate two mice within a cage. The cage divider allowed visual, acoustic, and olfactory contact between the mice but prevented interindividual body-contact or food sharing. Short- and long-term effects of the separated pair housing system on the well-being of the mice were compared with single and group housing using a range of behavioral

SUBMITTER: Hohlbaum K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9132905 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature