Evaluation of Enrichment for Reptiles in Zoos

Studies on environmental enrichment for reptiles are lacking in the scientific literature. Although the literature reflects a limited take on reptile enrichment in the zoological community, it may not be the case in reality as enrichment is generally considered an important aspect of the care of nonhuman animals in captivity. This project investigated the current state of reptile enrichment as it is being used in zoos. Although respondents were disproportionately accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the results showed many forms of enrichment being used for reptiles in zoos and happening at much greater levels than what has been suggested in the scientific literature. There were significant differences between a) reptile groups for each form of enrichment, and b) enrichment forms within each reptile group, except with the use of natural enrichment devices and structural/habitat design, which did not differ across all reptile groups. Enrichment goals, assessment methods, and sources of information for reptile enrichment used by zoos suggest the need for more scientific publications for facilities to make evidence-based decisions to improve the welfare of reptiles in captivity.     

The Role of Gender in Public Perception of Whether Animals Can Experience Grief and Other Emotions

Gender plays a significant role in influencing people's attitudes toward animals, however, little is known about how it influences their attribution of emotions to animals. To investigate the role that gender plays in public attitudes toward animals' experience of emotions and beliefs about whether animals can grieve, a face-to-face survey of 1,000 members of the general public was carried out in Brisbane, Australia. Potential respondents were asked to complete a 10-min “social attitudinal” survey. Males were significantly less likely than females to believe that animals experience complex emotions, including depression (p < 0.05), anxiety (p < 0.05), love (p < 0.01), and grief (p < 0.05), but did not differ in regard to basic emotions including distress, fear, happiness, anger, sadness, and fear. Males were also less likely to believe that animals show some behavioral (eating p < 0.05; vocalizing p < 0.01) changes when they experience grief (p < 0.05) and that animals grieve as a result of separation from a conspecific (p < 0.005). These results demonstrate a greater skepticism in males, compared with females, regarding the attribution of emotions to animals.     

动物福利在研究生实验动物学教学中的应用初探

在医学研究中,实验动物具有不可替代的地位和作用,越来越多的人开始关心动物福利。各医学院校是培养未来科研工作者的机构,实验动物在医学院校的使用量非常大,因此,在课堂教学中,培养医学生树立保护动物福利的观念具有重要意义。本文从课堂教育、实验动物处理、3R原则的实施等方面探讨了如何在教学过程中开展动物福利教育。     

重视和加强中国实验动物的研究

当前,实验动物对生物学和医学的重要性凸显.我国的实验动物组织机构和法规条例建设逐步完善,但与国际水准相比仍有差距.因此,应当重视和加强我国实验动物的研究,如实验动物标准化,野生动物实验动物化,动物福利,3Rs技术以及实验动物的产业化,以推动我国生命科学的整体发展.     

探索性试验在畜牧微生物学实验教学中的实践与思考

畜牧微生物学是一门应用性极强的课程,教师演示、学生重现的传统微生物学实验无法满足培养畜牧创新人才的需求。为提高学生在畜牧生产中灵活运用微生物学知识分析和解决实际问题的能力,经5年的摸索,针对畜牧微生物学实验,我们逐渐完善了一套理论课程铺垫、基础操作技能传授与探索性试验提升相结合的教学模式。该模式激发了学生的创新动力,提高了学生的科研能力。     

欧盟保护实验动物新指令2010/63/EU介绍及比较分析

从2013年1月开始欧盟将实施新的保护试验用动物指令2010/63/EU,新指令与旧指点令相比在涉及动物福利和3R原则的许多条款上做了完善,体现了国际社会对实验动物使用和管理的最新理念。欧盟保护实验动物法规的变迁,以及适应社会形势和科技进步做出的调整,对于当前中国实验动物实现规范化管理,融入国际实验动物科学发展主流理念具有重要借鉴意义。对指令条款的理解也有助于推动实验动物行业参与国际竞争、外包服务和对外贸易中发挥专业作用。     

心房颤动模型中实验动物优化的研究进展

房颤动物模型的建立对于研究房颤的机制以及治疗方法有着极其重要的作用。而房颤医学模型需要较长时间才能获得,对实验动物有一定的特殊要求,并且影响较大。这样,实验动物优化,即实验动物福利的改良与发展就显得重要,是促进建模成功的重要保障。我们从伦理与法规支持,饲养管理,替代方法和福利技术四个方面综述心房颤动医学模型中实验动物福利的改良与发展。     

动物离心机中大鼠行为状态无线视频采集装置的研制

目的：研制一种在正加速度作用下能实时观测大鼠行为状态的实验视频采集装置,为研究正加速度导致脑损伤的病理生理机制和防治措施提供新的方法。方法：依据正加速度对大鼠体位的要求和离心机特殊的环境,通过特制的大鼠座舱和无线视频采集单元来实现对动物离心机中正加速度作用下大鼠行为状态的实时观测;固定大鼠的座舱主要由胸部固定圈、身长调节圈、头部运动限制框构成;无线视频采集单元由2.4G无线摄像头、无线信号接收器、信号放大器、计算机以及视频采集软件组成。结果：座舱特殊的大鼠固定方式,既满足了正加速度对体位的要求,又不影响对大鼠行为状态的观测,2．4G无线视频采集技术保证视频信号在离心机高速旋转环境下的实时传输和观测,视频画面清晰流畅,并且能保存视频供回放分析。结论：动物离心机无线视频采集装置可用于正加速度作用下大鼠行为状态的实时观测与研究。     

动物离心机中大鼠行为状态无线视频采集装置的研制

目的:研制一种在正加速度作用下能实时观测大鼠行为状态的实验视频采集装置,为研究正加速度导致脑损伤的病理生理机制和防治措施提供新的方法。方法:依据正加速度对大鼠体位的要求和离心机特殊的环境,通过特制的大鼠座舱和无线视频采集单元来实现对动物离心机中正加速度作用下大鼠行为状态的实时观测;固定大鼠的座舱主要由胸部固定圈、身长调节圈、头部运动限制框构成;无线视频采集单元由2.4 G无线摄像头、无线信号接收器、信号放大器、计算机以及视频采集软件组成。结果:座舱特殊的大鼠固定方式,既满足了正加速度对体位的要求,又不影响对大鼠行为状态的观测,2.4 G无线视频采集技术保证视频信号在离心机高速旋转环境下的实时传输和观测,视频画面清晰流畅,并且能保存视频供回放分析。结论:动物离心机无线视频采集装置可用于正加速度作用下大鼠行为状态的实时观测与研究。     

Emotions in the Diary and REM Dreams of Young and Late Adulthood Women and Their Relation to Life Satisfaction.

Expanding on studies of the incidence and valence of emotions in dreams and their relationship with waking life satisfaction, home and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep dreams were collected from 30 late adulthood and 28 young women who had filled out a life satisfaction scale. Four positive and 4 negative dream emotions were self-rated. Both groups reported more emotions, with greater intensity, in home dreams than in REM dreams, particularly the older group. Regardless of age, intensity of negative emotions was lower in laboratory dreams than in home dreams, but there was no difference for positive emotions. The older women's home dreams had fewer negative emotions, with lower intensity, than did the young women's. Life satisfaction did not differ between age groups and was not significantly related to dream emotions. These results reinforce the distinction between home and laboratory dreams and question the relation between dream emotions and life satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

不同介入时间和不同疗程高压氧治疗对脑出血模型大鼠动物学行为及促血管新生因子表达的影响

摘要 目的：探讨不同介入时间和不同疗程高压氧治疗对脑出血大鼠动物学行为及促血管新生因子表达的影响。方法：240只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、脑出血组、高压氧组,每组各80只。采用胶原酶诱导建立脑出血大鼠模型,建模成功后根据高压氧介入时间分为6 h介入组、1 d介入组、2 d介入组、3 d介入组等亚组。分别治疗1周、2周、3周、4周,采用Longa评分法、平衡木评分法、Berderson评分法评估大鼠动物学行为,采用qRT-PCR检测大鼠脑组织血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）mRNA表达。结果：不同介入时间、不同疗程,脑出血组、高压氧组脑出血大鼠动物学行为评分、脑组织VEGF mRNA与HIF-1α mRNA表达均高于假手术组（P<0.05）。治疗1周、2周、3周、4周,不同介入时间高压氧组脑出血大鼠动物学行为评分低于脑出血组,脑组织VEGF mRNA、HIF-1α mRNA表达高于脑出血组（P<0.05）。高压氧介入时间越早,治疗疗程越长,脑出血大鼠动物学行为评分越低,脑组织VEGF mRNA、HIF-1α mRNA表达越高,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论：高压氧治疗能够改善脑出血大鼠动物学行为、促进促血管新生因子表达,且以脑出血后6 h介入、疗程4周效果最佳。     

从人和动物血浆及红细胞膜脂肪酸谱探讨脂质代谢实验模型动物选取

目的比较大鼠、家兔和人血浆及红细胞膜脂肪酸谱的异同,为脂质代谢模型动物的选取提供可靠依据。方法采用氯仿-甲醇快速提取大鼠、家兔和人血浆及细胞膜中的脂肪,并用碱法甲基化,经薄层层析纯化的甲基酯用100 mm×0.25 mm气相色谱毛细管柱测定脂肪酸组成。结果血浆中总MUFA、9c18：1、9c12c18：2 n-6和α-18：3 n-3等脂肪酸含量较高;而红细胞膜中总PUFA、AA、22：4n-6、DPA和DHA等脂肪酸含量较高;人和大鼠16：0、18：0、18：1、α-18：3n-3、AA、EPA、DHA、MUFA、n-3PUFA和n-6/n-3值均较为接近,但和家兔存在显著差异。结论与家兔相比,大鼠和人血浆及红细胞膜脂肪酸谱较接近,因此,在选取脂质代谢实验动物时,应优先考虑大鼠为模型动物,以得到与人体实际更接近的结果。     

浅谈兽医在非人灵长类动物实验福利中的作用

非人灵长类实验动物作为人类的“替身”,在生理学、病理学、病毒学、药物动力学、毒理学、生殖生理学、免疫学、遗传学、基因工程药和生物医药等科学研究领域具有无可替代的重要作用。因此,在其实验过程中的动物福利问题应当引起人们的足够重视。本文根据工作实践和动物福利的要求,从疾病的监视、诊断、治疗、预防、实验操作技术、猴类捕捉、保定、镇静、止痛、麻醉和安乐死术等方面,总结了兽医及其护理在灵长类实验动物福利中的作用。     

穴位敷贴法联合盐酸羟考酮缓释片对中重度癌性疼痛患者负性情绪及生活质量的影响

目的:探讨穴位敷贴法联合盐酸羟考酮缓释片对中重度癌性疼痛患者负性情绪及生活质量的影响。方法:选取2015年6月-2017年10月期间海南省人民医院收治的恶性肿瘤患者90例为研究对象。根据随机数字表法将患者分为对照组(n=45)与研究组(n=45),对照组患者给予盐酸羟考酮缓释片治疗,研究组患者在此基础上联合使用穴位敷贴法治疗。观察两组患者治疗后疼痛缓解情况及不良反应发生情况,比较两组患者治疗前后抑郁自评量表(SDS)评分、焦虑自评量表(SAS)评分以及生活质量情况。结果:研究组患者疼痛缓解率为66.67%(30/45),高于对照组的48.89%(22/45)(P0.05)。两组患者治疗后SDS评分、SAS评分均较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。两组患者治疗后睡眠、饮食、日常生活以及情绪等评分均较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组(P0.05)。研究组患者恶心、头晕、排尿困难、便秘等发生率均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而研究组皮肤刺激发生率与对照组相比差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:穴位敷贴法联合盐酸羟考酮缓释片治疗可减轻中重度癌性疼痛患者疼痛程度,改善其负性情绪及生活质量,且不良反应较少。     

Effect of Cage Type on Fecal Corticosterone Concentration in Buck Rabbits During the Reproductive Cycle

Fecal corticosterone concentration (FCC) was measured in 14 buck rabbits individually housed in standard-dimension cages (SC) or in bigger cages (BC; with a volume more than double that of SC and equipped with a plastic foot mat) during 4 consecutive reproductive cycles. Cage type and reproductive phase (estrous synchronization of doe rabbits, artificial insemination, partum, preweaning, and postweaning) were not statistically significant but tendentially affected FCCs (.05 < p < .10). Buck rabbits housed in SC showed higher FCCs than those housed in BC (27.42 pg g^? 1 dried feces and 25.57 pg g^? 1, respectively; SEM = 2.952). The highest FCC values were detected at artificial insemination (BC, 27.91 pg g^? 1; SC, 30.45 pg g^? 1; SEM = 3.520), highlighting that the phase of semen collection could be one of the most critical moments for buck rabbits, although further investigations are needed. These preliminary results suggest that measurement of FCC could be used as an indicator of chronic stress in buck rabbits.     

动物实验替代方法与21世纪毒性测试发展策略

随着新化学物质日益增多以及“3R”原则的广泛实施,传统的毒性测试面临着严峻挑战.毒性测试的发展正经历着一个关键时期,即从耗时、耗费的传统整体动物试验转向快速高通量的、含定量参数分析和机制研究的体外替代试验.实验动物替代方法不仅是出于遵行“3R”原则的考虑,也是毒理学学科发展以及社会经济发展的需要与科学要求.实验动物替代方法的发展与应用已成为21世纪毒性测试的重要方向,获得越来越广泛的支持和管理认可,具有广阔的发展前景和十分重要的应用价值.     

Understanding Attitudes Toward the Control of Nonnative Wild and Feral Mammals: Similarities and Differences in the Opinions of the General Public,Animal Protectionists,and Conservationists in New Zealand (Aotearoa)

Lethal control is used extensively in New Zealand to control nonnative nonhuman mammals. Respondents were surveyed about 8 mammal groups considered pests and their attitudes toward their control and pest status. They also identified the most appropriate method of control for the 8 different mammals. Information was gathered from 3 groups of respondents: nonhuman animal protectionists, conservationists, and the general public. Conservationists routinely rated all animal groups as more severe pests than the general public or animal protectionists, who provided the lowest scores. Rats, stoats, brushtail possums, and rabbits were identified as the 4 most serious pests by all 3 groups. Conservationists were 5.7 and 2.6 times more likely to prefer a lethal method of control than protectionists and the general public, respectively. For all 3 groups an increase in pest score for a given animal saw a decline in importance placed upon the animal's welfare. This relationship was strong for the general public but weak for conservationists and animal protectionists. Understanding aspects of potentially opposing viewpoints may be invaluable in supporting the development of new welfare-focused control methods.     

Inter-observer reliability of animal-based welfare indicators included in the Animal Welfare Indicators welfare assessment protocol for dairy goats

This study was conducted within the context of the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) project and the underlying scientific motivation for the development of the study was the scarcity of data regarding inter-observer reliability (IOR) of welfare indicators, particularly given the importance of reliability as a further step for developing on-farm welfare assessment protocols. The objective of this study is therefore to evaluate IOR of animal-based indicators (at group and individual-level) of the AWIN welfare assessment protocol (prototype) for dairy goats. In the design of the study, two pairs of observers, one in Portugal and another in Italy, visited 10 farms each and applied the AWIN prototype protocol. Farms in both countries were visited between January and March 2014, and all the observers received the same training before the farm visits were initiated. Data collected during farm visits, and analysed in this study, include group-level and individual-level observations. The results of our study allow us to conclude that most of the group-level indicators presented the highest IOR level (‘substantial’, 0.85 to 0.99) in both field studies, pointing to a usable set of animal-based welfare indicators that were therefore included in the first level of the final AWIN welfare assessment protocol for dairy goats. Inter-observer reliability of individual-level indicators was lower, but the majority of them still reached ‘fair to good’ (0.41 to 0.75) and ‘excellent’ (0.76 to 1) levels. In the paper we explore reasons for the differences found in IOR between the group and individual-level indicators, including how the number of individual-level indicators to be assessed on each animal and the restraining method may have affected the results. Furthermore, we discuss the differences found in the IOR of individual-level indicators in both countries: the Portuguese pair of observers reached a higher level of IOR, when compared with the Italian observers. We argue how the reasons behind these differences may stem from the restraining method applied, or the different background and experience of the observers. Finally, the discussion of the results emphasizes the importance of considering that reliability is not an absolute attribute of an indicator, but derives from an interaction between the indicators, the observers and the situation in which the assessment is taking place. This highlights the importance of further considering the indicators’ reliability while developing welfare assessment protocols.