Differences in the microenvironment of a polycarbonate caging system: bedding vs raised wire floors.

The microenvironment of polycarbonate cages housing rats with and without various types of bedding was compared with that of cages that utilized wire floor inserts with different bedding types. Parameters monitored were temperature, humidity, ammonia concentrations and particulates. No differences were noted in the various caging types in relation to temperature and humidity measurements. Significant differences in ammonia concentrations existed in some of the cages when bedding material was used. The use of raised floorwalk inserts also demonstrated significant differences in particulate counts to cages without inserts. The data obtained demonstrated that contact bedding was useful in controlling ammonia generation and that a raised floorwalk insert reduced significantly the aerosolization of bedding particles that could be ingested or inhaled by the rats.