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Online Journal of Veterinary Research©

 

Volume 12 (1) :28-38, 2008. Redacted 2018.

Effects of high density housing on behavioral and physiologic parameters in F344 rats

and Long Evans rats (Rattus norvegicus)

 

Nemelka KW1, Bean K1,   Sturdivant R2, Hacker SO3, Rico PJ1

 

1 Division of Veterinary Medicine, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 2 Department of Mathematical Sciences, United States Military Academy, West Pointe, NY, 10996. 3  Department of Lab Animal Resources, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, All work was performed at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Springs, MD, USA and was not supported by any grant.

 

ABSTRACT

 

Nemelka KW, Bean K, Sturdivant R, Hacker SO, Rico PJ, Effects of high density housing on behavioral and physiologic parameters in F344 rats and Long Evans rats (Rattus norvegicus), Online J Vet Res 12 (1) :28-38, 2008. Some recommendations in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (the Guide) are based on best professional judgment and experience. The primary objective of the study was to demonstrate that female and male F344 and Long Evans Rattus norvegicus could be housed at higher densities than recommended in the Guide without adversely affecting the behavior or physiological state of the animals. We housed approximately 4-week-old Long-Evans and 5-6-week old F344 rats at 4 different densities in standard, rack-mounted, polycarbonate shoebox cages for 8 weeks. Animals were housed individually, 5, 6 and 7 per cage achieving some densities that were well above the recommended floor space as stated in the Guide. Some statistical differences were observed with respect to abnormal behavior and hematological parameters, but the rats of both strains and genders gained weight and were clinically healthy despite the crowded conditions. The studies findings suggest that Long Evans and F344 can be housed at densities greater than those recommended in the Guide based on observed behavioral and physiological parameters.  

 

Key words: rats, housing density, crowding, physiology parameters, behavioral parameters

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