Preference Testing as Environmental Enrichment Assessment for Laboratory Mice

Abstract

In the field of biomedical research, a wide variety of environmental enrichment items are available for laboratory mice to fulfill its physiological and behavioral needs which influence the outcome of animal experiments. However, to take a decision on the most suitable enrichment, researchers are likely to consider the cost of enrichment
item more than animal preference and animal well-being. To develop a suitable environmental enrichment program for mice in Laboratory Animal Center, National Institute of Health (LAC-Thai NIH), we evaluated mouse preference for cages containing different types of nesting material and enrichment device. We carried out a simple preference test in groups of mice. Mice were allowed to choose three nesting materials; woodchips, paper towel and paper strip; and three enrichment devices; commercial plastic mouse house, standard plastic mouse house and cassava-based cup for 48 hours, then we evaluate where the mice positioned their nests and the amount of time they spent in the cage. The mice showed a statistical significant preference of nesting materials for paper towels than paper strip and of enrichment devices for standard plastic mouse house than commercial plastic mouse house. They also showed preference of cassava-based cup comparing with standard plastic mouse house. These data will be supporting information for environmental enrichment program of laboratory mice in LAC-Thai NIH.