Jean-François Guignardat, Romain Nicot, Thomas Hubert, Florent Barry
{"title":"Standardized surgical access to the porcine temporomandibular joint: Anatomical basis for translational research.","authors":"Jean-François Guignardat, Romain Nicot, Thomas Hubert, Florent Barry","doi":"10.1177/00236772261441431","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772261441431","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Temporomandibular disorders affect about 12% of the industrialized population, and their complex management often results in recurrence or treatment failure. Among animal models, the pig is particularly relevant owing to its anatomical similarity to humans, although specific differences in the zygomatic arch and mandibular fossa require adapted surgical approaches. We describe and validate a standardized surgical approach to the porcine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) suitable for translational research. Eleven cadavers of <i>Sus scrofa domestica</i> were dissected to identify key anatomical structures. A high condylectomy was performed to establish a reproducible surgical pathway, and the caudal intra-articular injection technique was tested using methylene blue to assess its feasibility. The pig's TMJ area consists of superficial muscles such as the platysma and parotidoauricularis, with deeper structures such as the parotid gland, facial nerve and major vessels, while the bony anatomy includes a large condylar head and a superficial zygomatic arch. The proposed surgical approach to the pig TMJ involves a retromandibular incision with preauricular extension, subperiostal dissection to expose the zygomatic arch and articular capsule, followed by an incision to access the condyle, disc and mandibular fossa, allowing for condylectomy with careful preservation of the facial nerve and surrounding structures. This study highlights the anatomical differences with humans, such as the presence of the parotidoauricularis muscle, which lies superficially to the facial nerve and serves as a useful landmark for a safe dissection. The described approach provides a reliable and reproducible technique for future TMJ surgical studies in the pig model.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"236772261441431"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148317944","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Vera Baumans, Mangala Gunatilake, Ensari Guneli, Bert Van Zutphen
{"title":"Development of animal use in experiments: a brief historical overview.","authors":"Vera Baumans, Mangala Gunatilake, Ensari Guneli, Bert Van Zutphen","doi":"10.1177/00236772261435373","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772261435373","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of animals as a model for humans has a long history. This paper describes in a bird's eye view the main developments from the ancient period until recent times. Although animal models have been used since the early Greek and Roman civilizations, the main increase in their use dates from the end of the Second World War. Not only did the number of animals used in experiments increase dramatically in this period, but also the variety of species, as well as the purposes for which animals were used. However, from the 1970s onwards, the number of animal experiments has decreased. The reasons for this decrease are briefly explored.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"236772261435373"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148308710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sakari Laaksonen, Timo Nevalainen, Kristiina Haasio, Iiris Kasanen, Pentti Nieminen, Hanna-Marja Voipio
{"title":"The reduction potential of diet board feeding-survival and clinical chemistry of group-housed Sprague Dawley rats in a 24-month study.","authors":"Sakari Laaksonen, Timo Nevalainen, Kristiina Haasio, Iiris Kasanen, Pentti Nieminen, Hanna-Marja Voipio","doi":"10.1177/00236772261453481","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772261453481","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although overeating is the root cause of many diseases and even premature death in laboratory animals, ad libitum feeding is still the prevailing practice in rodent husbandry. There is a need for practical methods of food restriction compatible with group housing. The diet board was developed as a mechanical solution to food restriction of group-housed rats. It tightly embeds food pellets in grooves cut into aspen boards, forcing the rats to gnaw wood to reach their food. In this two-year experiment, 146 nine-week-old outbred Hsd:Sprague Dawley<sup>®</sup> rats were divided into four equal groups: diet board-fed males and females, and ad libitum-fed males and females. Blood samples for clinical chemistry were collected at regular intervals during the study, and times of spontaneous death or euthanasia were recorded. Triglyceride and cholesterol values were significantly lower in diet board males than ad libitum males. The restriction of food intake via a diet board significantly increased the 24-month survival rate for both female and male groups. The better observed survival rates amongst diet board-fed rats makes it possible to start long-term studies with far fewer rats than with ad libitum feeding. Thus, using a diet board appears to be a promising method for the reduction of animal numbers in long-term rat studies that is compatible with group housing.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"236772261453481"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148277879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Inês Aires, Jessica Silva, Tiago Azevedo, Rita Ferreira, Ana I Faustino-Rocha, José Alberto Duarte, Paula A Oliveira
{"title":"Strengthening animal welfare: monitoring humane endpoints in a rat model of mammary tumorigenesis undergoing a ladder resistance training protocol.","authors":"Inês Aires, Jessica Silva, Tiago Azevedo, Rita Ferreira, Ana I Faustino-Rocha, José Alberto Duarte, Paula A Oliveira","doi":"10.1177/00236772261444916","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772261444916","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, underscoring the need for ethical and effective preclinical models to advance disease management. This study aimed to highlight the importance of humane endpoints in a rat model of mammary carcinogenesis undergoing ladder resistance training to evaluate and ensure the absence of animal suffering. Twenty-eight female Wistar rats were assigned randomly to four groups of seven animals per group: sedentary, sedentary induced (with <i>N</i>-methyl-<i>N</i>-nitrosourea (MNU)), exercised and exercised MNU-induced. At 7 weeks of age, the animals in the induced groups were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with the carcinogenic agent (<i>N</i>-methyl-<i>N</i>-nitrosourea; i.p; 50 mg/kg). The animals' welfare was monitored using a set of biological characteristics. The resistance exercise training, started at 9 weeks old and comprised climbing a ladder three times per week for 18 weeks, gradually increasing the load throughout the protocol. Of 14 MNU-induced rats, 9 (64%) developed mammary cancer. Exercised rats tended to show delayed tumor ulceration despite larger tumor volumes. No significant differences in bodyweight were observed, although weight loss appeared earlier in sedentary-induced animals. Exercised rats exhibited more stress signs, including reduced grooming and one case of chromodachryorrhea, yet had lower tumor-related humane endpoint scores. Three rats were euthanised early due to tumor-related endpoints. Minor tail wounds occurred but did not affect exercise or welfare. These results indicate that, with careful endpoint monitoring, the exercise protocol is well tolerated and may improve performance in tumour-bearing rats, supporting ethical standards while allowing accurate investigation of resistance training effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"236772261444916"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148252050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Edwin Louis-Maerten, Love Hansell, Charlotte E Blattner, Bernice S Elger, Lester D Geneviève
{"title":"Advancing the 3Rs? Researchers' perspectives on institutional facilitation in Switzerland - Part 2: executive facilitation.","authors":"Edwin Louis-Maerten, Love Hansell, Charlotte E Blattner, Bernice S Elger, Lester D Geneviève","doi":"10.1177/00236772261447418","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772261447418","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Successfully implementing the 3R principles relies on a range of interdependent factors operating across multiple levels. As such, any effort to advance the 3Rs must engage with this complexity and incorporate the lived experiences of stakeholders to inform policy advancements. In an interview-based study, we gathered insights from 35 Swiss researchers on the implementation of the 3Rs in Switzerland. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified two overarching categories of facilitation: originative facilitation, referring to the collective meaning-making of the 3Rs, and executive facilitation, encompassing politico-institutional conditions that support their implementation. The present paper focusses on the latter domain, in which key themes include political support fostering a pro-3R research environment, the cultivation of a 3R culture within research institutions, clearer 3R guidance from cantonal commissions on animal experimentation, and strategic use of the Swiss 3R Competence Centre as a leading national 3R intermediary. These themes detail major institutional stakeholders that could further promote the implementation of the 3Rs from the perspective of researchers. Accordingly, the results showed that advancing the 3Rs is not just a matter of niche innovations but should also be orchestrated from a broader institutional perspective and with specific objectives to achieve. While these findings are specific to the Swiss context, they provide valuable information for countries with similar regulations on animal experimentation or a similar political structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"236772261447418"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148252081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
René Remie, Paul Fredric Brain, Coenraad F M Hendriksen, Vera Baumans
{"title":"Recognition of pain and distress.","authors":"René Remie, Paul Fredric Brain, Coenraad F M Hendriksen, Vera Baumans","doi":"10.1177/00236772261446785","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772261446785","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Animals used in research and testing face physical and mental challenges, which may cause mild to severe pain and distress. Pain and distress are generally considered in the context of the analogy postulate and the precautionary principle. The analogy postulate refers to (patho-)physiological similarities between humans and vertebrates, assuming that manipulations causing pain and distress in humans do so equally in vertebrates. According to the precautionary principle, animals will be considered to have pain/distress in the absence of any scientific consensus as to the presence or absence of pain. Although those principles can be useful guides for humane treatment of laboratory animals, they do not address the subjectivity involved in recognising pain/distress. A reliable estimate of animal pain and distress can be derived from both behavioural and physiological indicators. Distress and pain are biological phenomena that motivate behaviours aimed at alleviating these states. If no behaviour achieves the expected outcome, the animal may switch to other modes, such as depression or learned helplessness. Pain is regarded as a biologically adaptive mechanism, alerting organisms to possible damage or injury. The effect of experimental procedures on perceived pain/distress may depend on physical and social environmental conditions. Observation schemes can be used to assess and monitor daily for clinical signs or problems. They can help reduce pain/distress and provide adequate care. Competent observation of animals is also basic to the correct implementation of humane endpoints. AI will transform research. Intelligent systems will generate data, enable early stress detection and improve animal welfare.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"236772261446785"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148252079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Normative data on the hind foot of Sprague-Dawley rats.","authors":"Zoi Tzimorota, Ioanna Abba Deka, Tryfon Chatzimanou, Mavrommatis-Parasidis Panagiotis, Marietta Armaka, Evangelos Rinotas, Dorothea Kapoukranidou, Adam J Reid, Panagiotis Givissis, Anastasia Tsingotjidou","doi":"10.1177/00236772261442034","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772261442034","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rats play a crucial role in advancing scientific research and contributing to the understanding of various diseases. The striking structural similarity between the rat foot and the intricate anatomy of the human hand has drawn scientific interest to these animals. However, detailed morphometric and functional analyses of the adult Sprague-Dawley rat foot, including its dimensions, range of motion, and grip strength, remain limited in the literature. We aimed to examine the hind feet of 42 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, each weighing 300-350 g. Using a multifaceted approach, we inspected hind paw morphology and performed descriptive statistical analyses of foot dimensions (a), measured unilateral hind foot grasping strength (b), assessed joint mobility (c), and examined the microscopic appearance of the hind foot third digit (d). One animal was additionally used to observe the hind limb skeletal architecture using microcomputed tomography. This study provides critical normative data regarding the structure and function of the hind foot in adult Sprague-Dawley rats, thereby facilitating future studies on musculoskeletal diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"236772261442034"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148218301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Na Ahn, Eun-Jeong Kim, Vincent J Shim, Jungjoon Ihm, Sangho Roh
{"title":"Occupational stress, ethical conflicts, and job satisfaction in animal research environments in Korea.","authors":"Na Ahn, Eun-Jeong Kim, Vincent J Shim, Jungjoon Ihm, Sangho Roh","doi":"10.1177/00236772261443573","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00236772261443573","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Professionals engaged in animal experimentation within laboratory animal facilities face a range of practical hardships, including emotional distress, professional stress, ethical conflicts, and work environment-related challenges. To address these issues, it is crucial to systematically identify the psychological and emotional burdens, as well as the specific stressors, experienced by individuals in this field. This study examines the ethical conflicts and compassion fatigue encountered by personnel working with laboratory animals in Korea. An online survey was conducted with 165 participants, including animal researchers (laboratory technicians, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students), principal investigators, animal facility managers, and attending veterinarians. The results indicated that animal researchers experienced lower levels of stress and fewer ethical dilemmas than other occupational groups, including principal investigators, attending veterinarians, and animal facility managers. Female respondents reported a higher frequency of ethical dilemmas than male respondents, regardless of occupational role. Participants with less than six years of work experience reported fewer ethical dilemmas than those with longer tenure, suggesting that ethical sensitivity might increase with prolonged exposure to animal experimentation. Euthanasia and animal pain were identified as the primary sources of ethical stress. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that experiences of ethical dilemmas, years of employment, and occupational role were significantly associated with stress levels. These findings underscore the need for organizational-level interventions to mitigate ethical stress and promote a healthier research environment. Strengthening emotional resilience and supporting the overall well-being of personnel working with laboratory animals are essential goals of such efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"236772261443573"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148211834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laboratory AnimalsPub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-06-11DOI: 10.1177/00236772261441113
Bryony Few, Scott Burgess, Matt Leach, R Eddie Clutton
{"title":"The effects of magnesium infusions on haemodynamic and nociceptive variables in minipigs undergoing thoracotomy.","authors":"Bryony Few, Scott Burgess, Matt Leach, R Eddie Clutton","doi":"10.1177/00236772261441113","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00236772261441113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Magnesium regulates myocardial depolarisation, vascular tone, neuromuscular function and provides analgesia. This study examined its analgesic and haemodynamic effects, comparing the effects of intravenous saline 0.9% (NaCl; control <i>n</i> = 8) and magnesium (<i>n</i> = 7) infusions in minipigs undergoing thoracotomy. Preoperative single-housed activity was recorded for 1 h. Intraoperatively, arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded once telemetry was established; data from the final 60 min of anaesthesia were compared between groups. Postoperative activity, HR and BP were recorded continuously using in-pen CCTV and telemetry, respectively. Indicators of pain, including HR and BP were sampled after tracheal extubation (T<sub>TE</sub>) at +0.5, +2.5, +4.5, +6, +8.5, +15.5, +17.5, +19.5, +20, +23, +25.5, +26 and +29 h. Changes in HR and BP before and after analgesia at T<sub>TE</sub> +6, +17.5, +23 and +29 h, and pre- and post-pain assessments at T<sub>TE</sub> +2.5, +6, +17.5, +20, +23, +26 and +29 h were compared using a paired <i>t</i>-test. During anaesthesia, no electrocardiography derangements were noted. There was no difference between groups in the area under the curve for any cardiovascular variable. Magnesium-treated animals had an increased incidence of hypotension during anaesthesia. Postoperatively, activity decreased significantly for both groups for duration (all time points) and frequency (T<sub>TE</sub> +0.5, +4.5, +8.5, +15.5 h), but no treatment effect was observed. Pain scores were comparable between groups. Following pain assessment and analgesia administration at T<sub>TE</sub> +17.5, Group NaCl had significant increases in HR and mean arterial pressure The magnesium dose evaluated produced no harm nor obvious benefit.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"280-293"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148218425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laboratory AnimalsPub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-04-08DOI: 10.1177/00236772251404062
Alina Bonorand, Marie Leekens, Bernhard Voelkl, Hanno Würbel, Janja Novak
{"title":"A house is not a home: Shelter preferences of laboratory mice.","authors":"Alina Bonorand, Marie Leekens, Bernhard Voelkl, Hanno Würbel, Janja Novak","doi":"10.1177/00236772251404062","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00236772251404062","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The design of many shelters for laboratory mice, particularly plastic shelters, is mainly driven by economic, ergonomic and hygiene considerations, with little focus on providing the animals with opportunities to express species-specific behaviours and control over their environment. Even in the presence of artificial shelters (plastic houses, tunnels), laboratory mice will readily burrow if given the opportunity. The main aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the importance of access to sheltered space for laboratory mice. We pair-housed mice (BALB/c, SWISS and C57BL/6, male and female) in conventional laboratory cages that contained either (i) resources to build underground shelter (burrowing substrate) or (ii) artificial structures providing shelter (e.g. red plastic house). We assessed how mice used these resources, as well as their preferences when given a choice between different shelters. In addition, we assessed the insulating properties of different shelters. Mice spent most of their time underground in deep bedding and the least time inside the standard red plastic house, where they nested outside the house. They also showed a strong preference for the deep burrow cage, and the most relevant features of preferred shelters seem to be darkness and being underground. Nesting material alone was also less insulating, possibly contributing to an increased need for non-shivering thermogenesis.</p>","PeriodicalId":18013,"journal":{"name":"Laboratory Animals","volume":" ","pages":"247-257"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147633905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}