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This version was published on 1 October 2009
Lab Anim 2009;43:311-327
doi:10.1258/la.2009.0080098
© 2009 Laboratory Animals Limited

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Review Articles

The impact of light, noise, cage cleaning and in-house transport on welfare and stress of laboratory rats

M J Castelhano-Carlos 1  and V Baumans 2

1 Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; 2 Department of Animals, Science and Society, Division of Laboratory Animal Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: M J Castelhano-Carlos. Email: mjoao{at}ecsaude.uminho.pt

Human interaction and physical environmental factors are part of the stimuli presented to laboratory animals everyday, influencing their behaviour and physiology and contributing to their welfare. Certain environmental conditions and routine procedures in the animal facility might induce stress responses and when the animal is unable to maintain its homeostasis in the presence of a particular stressor, the animal's wellbeing is threatened. This review article summarizes several published studies on the impact of environmental factors such as light, noise, cage cleaning and in-house transport on welfare and stress of laboratory rats. The behaviour and physiological responses of laboratory rats to different environmental housing conditions and routine procedures are reviewed. Recommendations on the welfare of laboratory rats and refinements in experimental design are discussed and how these can influence and improve the quality of scientific data.

Key Words: Environment • welfare • rats • light • noise • cage cleaning • transport


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