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. 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. Many mice are handled once or twice a week by technicians, and are prone to biting and will scuttle around the cage away from a hand. A study funded by the NC3Rs explored how handling methods influenced mice’s behavior during cognitive tasks. In addition, using gloved hands to directly handle mice during cage changing is efficient and avoids the ergonomic strain associated with forceps. The techniques identified in the study should lead to further improvements in the welfare of the mice. They were also less likely to defecate during handling and behavioural testing than their tail-handled counterparts. 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. 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. 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 … doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-71476-y. The investment in training should be outweighed by the benefits observed with more reliable behavioural and physiological responses in the mice. towards the cage wall. As handling mice by a tunnel requires minimal physical contact with the animal, this is likely to be another advantage for less experienced handlers. Experimental protocols often require mice to undergo repeated procedures that can cause pain or discomfort. They can be placed back by allowing them to climb freely from the device into the cage (Figure 31.5). Many facilities in the UK and internationally have now adopted non-aversive handling methods as part of their everyday practice. A new study shows an advantage to a particular method of getting mice into a testing arena that could remove a stumbling block to accurate research. (2020). Hear from champions based at facilities around the UK who have successfully implemented non-aversive mouse handling methods. According to the MGS, tattooing was not more painful than ear tagging but caused significant tail inflammation and more agitation and anxiety. These observations suggest that habituating mice to handling by either the cupping or tunnel method minimizes handling-related stress. 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. Results showed that the tail approach yielded the lowest voluntary interaction with the handler and induced more urination and defecation during the handling process. Information on Vole, or Field Mouse Removal and Control. The original research by Professor Hurst was funded by the BBSRC and the NC3Rs. 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. For 96” OD and larger hand tunnels, Bradshaw is the utility industry leader in using the NATM/SEM (sprayed shotcrete) hand tunneling method. 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 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. Henderson LJ, Dani B, Serrano EMN et al. To reduce background variation and maximise welfare, methods that minimise handling stress should be developed and used wherever possible. Tail or Tunnel: Handling Methods Influence Mouse Behavior in Cognitive Tasks. To test discrimination between two different scents, the mice were then placed near a different urine stimulus. 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. You can then use these tunnels to transfer the mice between cages for things such as cleaning out. Mice can then be encouraged to climb into the beaker (Figures 31.3 and 31.4). View our video tutorial on the refined mouse handling methods. 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. Crucially, the authors found that tunnel handling alleviated the negative behavioural effects of the aversive procedures tested, unlike traditional tail handling. However, despite clear negative effects on mice's behaviour, tunnel … Researchers now suggest that cupping a mouse in the hand or carrying it in a small tunnel reduces stress and encourages cooperation. 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. Mice handled by a home cage or external tunnel showed less anxiety in an elevated plus maze than those picked up by the tail. Read the underpinning research and related papers. This can be overcome by handling mice using a tunnel, yet tunnel handling has yet to be widely implemented. Handling stress is a well-recognised source of variation in animal studies that can also compromise the welfare of research animals. 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. We evaluated a handling method using tunnels to tame laboratory mice (ICR) in the context of animal welfare and ease of handling. Traditionally mice have been picked up uh via their tails. However, you can instead gently guide the mice into these clears handling tunnels. Download short video clips for use in in-house training. 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. We service over 500 USA locations! 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. Using a tunnel or cupped hand to pick up mice causes less anxiety than traditional tail handling. Read answers to frequently asked questions about tunnel and cup handling. Tunnel handling improves the welfare of mice undergoing repeated procedures Thursday 10 September 2020 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 … Here we provide practical tips on non-aversive handling, including a webinar, a video tutorial, and the underpinning evidence base. 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. The researchers showed that mice of all strains and sex developed a consistent voluntary interaction in the ninth daily handling session among all the three handling methods – the tail, home cage tunnel, or "cupped" on open hand . Using a tunnel or cupped hand to pick up mice causes less anxiety than traditional tail handling. Research has shown that picking up mice by the tail induces aversion and high anxiety and generally should be avoided. Non-aversive methods do not add time to husbandry or procedures provided staff are adequately trained. The FAQs address common misconceptions. While mice may appear small and cute, they can create big problems in your yard as they build tunnels and chew on your flowers, vegetables and shrubs. Therefore, it is important to know whether such protocols affect the previously-demonstrated positive effects of non-aversive handling methods. These non-aversive methods also make handling easier for researchers and animal care staff, and enhance mouse performance in behavioural tests. Scientific Reports 10: e14562. Tunnel handling. As well as having animal welfare benefits the research, led by Professor Jane Hurst at the University of Liverpool, has shown that picking up mice by the tail can impact on scientific outcomes, with mice handled by tunnel and cupping methods showing improved performance in behavioural tests compared to traditional tail handling. Although efficiency is a concern for large-scale implementation of novel handling methods, the tunnel method may prove beneficial for sensitive strains or studies requiring indirect handling. 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 used ... measures which showed that the tail handled mice were more anxious, depressed and chronically stressed than the tunnel handled mice. This study shows that using a tunnel for routine handling reduces anxiety among mice compared to tail handling regardless of prior familiarity with tunnels. A reel may also serve as means of transfer, as mice like to crawl into the dark tube or climb onto the device. Tunnel handling reduced anxiety compared with tail handling. Professor Jane Hurst describes the evidence supporting refined handling techniques and practical tips for implementation. The authors conclude that the welfare benefits of tunnel handling are widely applicable. Tunnel handling has been shown in several studies from around the world to reduce anxiety in mice. handling mice by either cup handling or tunnel handling is less stressful and more trust inspiring for the mice. Mice were either picked up by the tail or guided into a tunnel, then transferred to the testing arena. They lifted the mice by the tail when it was time to handle them, a process known to annoy and startle mice. During 1-week acclimation to handling and subsequent 1-week oral administration (once per day), voluntary interaction with the experimenter was much greater in mice handled by a tunnel compared to those picked up by the tail. This is "Jane Hurst - mouse tunnel handling" by NC3Rs on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. In this study, PhD student Jasmine Clarkson under the supervision of Professor Candy Rowe and colleagues provide the first evidence that tail handling also reduces the amount that mice respond to reward. These positive behavioural effects persisted even after repeated aversive procedures. For support with implementing non-aversive handling methods, visit the NC3Rs How to pick up a mouse resource hub. 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. Click here to hire us in your town and check prices - updated for year 2020.. Vole, or Field Mice, or Meadow Mice, as they are called, are usually classified as a pest species because the dig up yards and set up a network of surface tunnels. If cupped, open hands or clear tunnels are used to pick up the mice, they will show normal curiosity and behavior once placed in the test environment. Mice that were transferred in the tunnel were far more exploratory during the cognitive task. Professor Hurst was awarded an OBE for services to animal welfare in the 2020 New Year Honours list. Laboratory mice are routinely handled for husbandry and scientific procedures. Need vole removal in your hometown? As prospective prey … This study is the first to validate tunnel handling as a method to reduce the negative welfare effects of repeated isoflurane anaesthesia. 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. Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE | Tel: 020 7611 2233 | Fax: 020 7611 2260 | enquiries@nc3rs.org.uk, 3Rs advice for project licence applicants, 3Rs in toxicology and regulatory sciences, Embedding the 3Rs in COVID-19 return to research plans. The literature review showed evidence of alternative handling methods sections, such as using tunnels or cupped hands when picking up mice and rats, having positive impacts on animal welfare and consequently possibly on data reliability, when compared to stressful traditional handling methods such as lifting by the tail. A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We are committed to the proper regulation of the use of animals in scientific research. Picking up mice by the tail can compromise their welfare and affect scientific outcomes. Benefits of tunnel handling persist after repeated restraint, injection and anaesthesia. Traditionally mice are initially picked up by the base of the tail, sometimes with a hand positioned to support the animal’s body. 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. Tips and strategies for rolling out the refined handling methods in your facility. Get monthly updates in your inbox from the NC3Rs on funding opportunities, events and publications. Request copies of our mouse handling poster for display in your facility. Handling stress is a well-recognised source of variation in animal studies that can also compromise the welfare of research animals. 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. 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). It is well established that using handling tunnels or cupped hands in place of picking up mice by the tail improves their welfare. For example, they may be restrained and injected many times over the duration of a study. Tail or tunnel? While isoflurane is known to be aversive to mice, the findings of this study suggest that tail handling causes an aversion to the handler that increases the stress associated with repeated procedures such as anaesthesia. It won the 2010 NC3Rs 3Rs Prize. Tunnel-handled mice showed increased exploratory behaviour in an Elevated Plus Maze and Open Field Test, and spent more time interacting with their handler. Moreover, restraining the tunnel- and cupping-handled mice by neck skin “scruffing” did not alter their willingness to interact with the handler. Improving handling techniques for laboratory mice helps reduce stress and anxiety, according to a study published today in the journal ‘Nature Methods’. If you are the type to use a computer heavily, you face both a high risk for … Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE | Tel: 020 7611 2233 | Fax: 020 7611 2260 | enquiries@nc3rs.org.uk, NC3Rs Skills and Knowledge Transfer award, Tunnel handling improves the welfare of mice undergoing repeated procedures. Using a computer mouse may not seem dangerous, but potentially wrist-driven actions repeated thousands and thousands of times have the potential to cause carpal tunnel syndrome. 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