Bodden Carina, Siestrup Sophie, Palme Rupert, Kaiser Sylvia, Sachser Norbert, Richter S Helene
Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149 Münster, Germany; Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Fliednerstr. 21, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestr. 13, 48149 Münster, Germany.
Behav Brain Res. 2018 Jan 15;336:261-268. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.08.029. Epub 2017 Aug 23.
According to current guidelines on animal experiments, a prospective assessment of the severity of each procedure is mandatory. However, so far, the classification of procedures into different severity categories mainly relies on theoretic considerations, since it is not entirely clear which of the various procedures compromise the welfare of animals, or, to what extent. Against this background, a systematic empirical investigation of the impact of each procedure, including behavioral testing, seems essential. Therefore, the present study was designed to elucidate the effects of repeated versus single testing on mouse welfare, using one of the most commonly used paradigms for behavioral phenotyping in behavioral neuroscience, the open-field test. In an independent groups design, laboratory mice (Mus musculus f. domestica) experienced either repeated, single, or no open-field testing - procedures that are assigned to different severity categories. Interestingly, testing experiences did not affect fecal corticosterone metabolites, body weights, elevated plus-maze or home cage behavior differentially. Thus, with respect to the assessed endocrinological, physical, and behavioral outcome measures, no signs of compromised welfare could be detected in mice that were tested in the open-field repeatedly, once, or, not at all. These findings challenge current classification guidelines and may, furthermore, stimulate systematic research on the severity of single procedures involving living animals.
根据当前动物实验指南，对每个实验步骤的严重程度进行前瞻性评估是强制性的。然而，到目前为止，将实验步骤分类为不同严重程度类别主要依赖于理论考量，因为尚不完全清楚各种实验步骤中哪些会损害动物福利，或者损害程度如何。在此背景下，对每个实验步骤的影响进行系统的实证研究，包括行为测试，似乎至关重要。因此，本研究旨在使用行为神经科学中行为表型分析最常用的范式之一——旷场试验，阐明重复测试与单次测试对小鼠福利的影响。在独立组设计中，实验室小鼠（小家鼠）经历了重复、单次或无旷场测试——这些实验步骤被归为不同的严重程度类别。有趣的是，测试经历对粪便皮质酮代谢物、体重、高架十字迷宫或饲养笼行为没有差异影响。因此，就所评估的内分泌、身体和行为结果指标而言，在旷场中接受重复测试、单次测试或根本未测试的小鼠中，未检测到福利受损的迹象。这些发现挑战了当前的分类指南，此外，可能还会刺激对涉及活体动物的单个实验步骤严重程度的系统研究。
