V-043 | Local experience on the beneficial effects of tunnel handling on mice welfare

Cognition, Behavior, and Memory
Author: Mariana Judith Elías | Email: maruelias23@hotmail.com

Mariana Judith Elías^1°, Lucía María Di Guardia Casella^1°2°,Claudio Darío Barrios^1°2°, Amaicha Mara DePino^1°3°

^1° Conicet- Universidad de Buenos Aires. Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias.
^2° Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular
^3° Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimenta

The standard method for handling laboratory mice during routine care and experimental procedures, known as tail handling, involves capturing, lifting, and restraining mice by their tails. Increasing evidence suggests that, compared to non-aversive techniques like tunnel and cup handling, tail handling heightens anxiety-related behaviors and induces anhedonia, thereby negatively impacting mouse welfare.
A year ago, we introduced home cage tunnel enrichment and tunnel handling for the animals housed in the holding areas of behavioral testing at IFIBYNE. We observed increased voluntary interactions with the handler and an apparent reduction in fear and anxiety during routine cage changes. To better quantify the effects of tunnel handling on anxiety-related behaviors, we are assessing animals using the elevated plus maze and open field tests upon arrival at the facility, as well as two and four weeks afterward.
Our findings indicate that the straightforward refinement of substituting tail handling with tunnel handling for routine care and procedures significantly enhances mouse welfare and has the potential to improve scientific outcomes.