title: Preferences for paper bedding material of the laboratory mice.
abstract: In order to identify indicators of the preferences for bedding materials, the paper bedding material preferences of laboratory mice were investigated in the present study. Four cages, each containing a different structure of paper bedding material were connected to allow free access to each cage. The preferences for paper bedding materials of laboratory mice were judged by the differences in the length of stay and sleep in each cage. The mice preferred the bedding material that allowed them to easily hide and build nests and was soft. We conclude that the comfort and well-being of laboratory mice can be increased through the appropriate selection of bedding material.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Experimental Animals, Shimane Medical University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo-shi, Shimane 693-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ago
authors.forename: Tatuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gonda
authors.forename: Mayumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takechi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: Kohei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kawakami
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D001512:Bedding and Linens; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D010209:Paper