This can be overcome by handling mice using a tunnel, yet tunnel handling has yet to be widely implemented. Henderson and colleagues extended previous work by investigating whether repeated scruff restraint, intraperitoneal (IP) injections and short-duration (five minute) anaesthesia with isoflurane negated the reduction in anxiety-related behaviours associated with tunnel handling. Hand tunneling is typically performed by tunnel miners using pneumatic hand tools to excavate the soils and then installing wood and/or steel supports for tunnels 42” OD or larger. Tunnel handling. tunnel (tunnel handling) preferred a handler on the ground of more increased voluntary interaction of mice with human, compared to mice picked up by the tail (standard tail handling). Handling stress is a well-recognised source of variation in animal studies that can also compromise the welfare of research animals. Dr Henderson’s work complements findings by other researchers showing that single or repeated scruff restraint, single IP injection, repeated subcutaneous injection, repeated oral gavage and tattooing or ear tagging also do not negate the positive effects of non-aversive handling. It won the 2010 NC3Rs 3Rs Prize. However, two alternative methods for picking up laboratory mice have been investigated and validated in recent years [7–9]; ‘tunnel’ handling, that involves guiding mice into a tunnel before being lifted (thus avoiding direct contact), and ‘cup’ handling, where mice are scooped up and lifted with closed or open hands and allowed to move freely without direct physical restraint (video tutorials of … The research has since been replicated by other groups, who have shown that the method of handling can affect physiological parameters and behaviour, including the response to reward. However, you can instead gently guide the mice into these clears handling tunnels. Mice are quick to habituate to tunnel handling and can subsequently be restrained by the scruff or tail base for procedures or health and welfare assessments without negating the positive impacts of the non-aversive capture. Traditionally mice are initially picked up by the base of the tail, sometimes with a hand positioned to support the animal’s body. We evaluated a handling method using tunnels to tame laboratory mice (ICR) in the context of animal welfare and ease of handling. According to a rating of the ease of handling laboratory mice, a tunnel facilitated mouse handling during acclimation to handling and oral gavage of saline compared to tail handling. Read answers to frequently asked questions about tunnel and cup handling. Their work adds to the substantial evidence supporting tunnel handling as a way to improve the welfare of mice and reduce handling-related stress, even when experimental protocols require the use of more aversive procedures. The basic way to use these methods is by NOT catching and lifting the animals by the tail, but either handle it in a transparent plastic tube (tunnel handling) or on the palm of one’s hand. Tail or tunnel? Experimental protocols often require mice to undergo repeated procedures that can cause pain or discomfort. They were also less likely to defecate during handling and behavioural testing than their tail-handled counterparts. Using a tunnel or cupped hand to pick up mice causes less anxiety than traditional tail handling. The investment in training should be outweighed by the benefits observed with more reliable behavioural and physiological responses in the mice. Mice handled by a home cage or external tunnel showed less anxiety in an elevated plus maze than those picked up by the tail. However, despite clear negative effects on mice's behaviour, tunnel … The work, led by Dr Lindsay Henderson of Newcastle University, was funded as part of an NC3Rs Skills and Knowledge Transfer award to Dr Johnny Roughan, aimed at testing the reproducibility of non-aversive handling for improving welfare and data precision across several scientific disciplines. This is "Jane Hurst - mouse tunnel handling" by NC3Rs on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. To reduce background variation and maximise welfare, methods that minimise handling stress should be developed and used wherever possible. A study funded by the NC3Rs explored how handling methods influenced mice’s behavior during cognitive tasks. By contrast, mice picked up in a tunnel explored their environment readily, showed a strong interest in the new stimulus, and a clear effect of becoming familiar with it in the consecutive sessions. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-71476-y. Laboratory mice are routinely handled for husbandry and scientific procedures. towards the cage wall. Professor Hurst was awarded an OBE for services to animal welfare in the 2020 New Year Honours list. Request copies of our mouse handling poster for display in your facility. Mice can also be required to undergo short periods of anaesthesia for implantation of devices, or repeated instances of anaesthesia for imaging the development of diseases. For 96” OD and larger hand tunnels, Bradshaw is the utility industry leader in using the NATM/SEM (sprayed shotcrete) hand tunneling method. The techniques identified in the study should lead to further improvements in the welfare of the mice. We service over 500 USA locations! Tail or Tunnel: Handling Methods Influence Mouse Behavior in Cognitive Tasks. They can be placed back by allowing them to climb freely from the device into the cage (Figure 31.5). Non-aversive methods do not add time to husbandry or procedures provided staff are adequately trained. Recent studies have identified that the standard practice of handling laboratory mice by their tails increases behaviours indicative of anxiety, which can be overcome by handling mice using a tunnel. The authors conclude that the welfare benefits of tunnel handling are widely applicable. Tunnel handling reduced anxiety compared with tail handling. To reduce background variation and maximise welfare, methods that minimise handling stress should be developed and used wherever possible. Research has shown that picking up mice by the tail induces aversion and high anxiety levels, as assessed by a range of measures, which can be minimised by instead using a tunnel or a cupped hand. Moreover, restraining the tunnel- and cupping-handled mice by neck skin “scruffing” did not alter their willingness to interact with the handler. Tunnel handling should be the method of choice for researchers conducting behavioural tests with these animals.’ In previous work, Professor Hurst and the Liverpool team developed alternative methods of handling mice that are much more animal-friendly and just as quick once the handlers are trained. For example, they may be restrained and injected many times over the duration of a study. As prospective prey … Tunnel-handled mice showed increased exploratory behaviour in an Elevated Plus Maze and Open Field Test, and spent more time interacting with their handler. This study shows that using a tunnel for routine handling reduces anxiety among mice compared to tail handling regardless of prior familiarity with tunnels. For support with implementing non-aversive handling methods, visit the NC3Rs How to pick up a mouse resource hub. Need vole removal in your hometown? Henderson LJ, Dani B, Serrano EMN et al. Here we provide practical tips on non-aversive handling, including a webinar, a video tutorial, and the underpinning evidence base. Tunnel handling has been shown in several studies from around the world to reduce anxiety in mice. Picking up mice by the tail can compromise their welfare and affect scientific outcomes. Read the underpinning research and related papers. Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE | Tel: 020 7611 2233 | Fax: 020 7611 2260 | [email protected], 3Rs advice for project licence applicants, 3Rs in toxicology and regulatory sciences, Embedding the 3Rs in COVID-19 return to research plans. Crucially, the authors found that tunnel handling alleviated the negative behavioural effects of the aversive procedures tested, unlike traditional tail handling. They observed that BALB/c mice found restraint more stressful than handling alone, and showed evidence of a stronger aversion to IP injections than isoflurane anaesthesia. Tips and strategies for rolling out the refined handling methods in your facility. Professor Jane Hurst describes the evidence supporting refined handling techniques and practical tips for implementation. New research published in Scientific Reports shows the animal welfare benefits of picking up laboratory mice via a tunnel instead of by the tail persist even after repeated restraint, injection and anaesthesia. While handling mice is necessary before and after placing them in their test environment, using different techniques can significantly change the animal's response during the exam. Mice quickly habituate to tunnel handling and can subsequently be restrained by the scruff or tail base for procedures or health and welfare assessments without negating the positive impacts of the non-aversive capture. Mice that were transferred in the tunnel were far more exploratory during the cognitive task. Mr John Waters, the animal technician who supported the research, won the 2017 IAT Andrew Blake Tribute Award and was named Outstanding Technician of the Year at the 2020 THE Awards.
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