Whary M, Peper R, Borkowski G, Lawrence W, Ferguson F
Centralized Biological Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802.
Lab Anim. 1993 Oct;27(4):330-41. doi: 10.1258/002367793780745615.
This project evaluated the influence of group housing on common aspects of research use of female laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Eight rabbits housed individually in conventional cages were compared to a second group of 8 housed as a social group in a proportionately larger enclosure. The group housing method provided increased opportunities for exercise, social contact, and a more novel environment. As a function of housing style, the 2 experimental groups were compared on humoral and delayed hypersensitivity response, feed intake, growth rate, and selected physiological parameters that are considered to reflect stress in most species. Single and group housed rabbits did not significantly differ in physiological and immunological measurements, indicating that the practical research performance (immune response, stress level, growth rates etc.) of these rabbits was not significantly affected by group housing compared with the more traditional single housing. Analysis of group social behaviour indicated that the rabbits preferred small social groups, had preferences for microenvironments within the enclosure, and exhibited behaviours that are not possible when housed singly. Group housing appeared to be a successful method for enriching the environment of female rabbits and aspects of it should be considered in the approach to housing rabbits used in research.
本项目评估了群居对雌性实验兔（穴兔）研究常用方面的影响。将8只单独饲养在传统笼子里的兔子与另一组8只作为一个社会群体饲养在比例更大围栏中的兔子进行比较。群居方式提供了更多的运动、社交接触机会，以及更具新奇感的环境。作为饲养方式的一个函数，对这两个实验组在体液和迟发型超敏反应、采食量、生长速率以及被认为能反映大多数物种应激的选定生理参数方面进行了比较。单独饲养和群居的兔子在生理和免疫测量方面没有显著差异，这表明与更传统的单独饲养相比，群居对这些兔子的实际研究表现（免疫反应、应激水平、生长速率等）没有显著影响。对群体社会行为的分析表明，兔子更喜欢小群体，对围栏内的微环境有偏好，并且表现出单独饲养时不可能出现的行为。群居似乎是丰富雌性兔子环境的一种成功方法，在用于研究的兔子饲养方法中应考虑其某些方面。
