title: Effects of Transfer from Breeding to Research Facility on the Welfare of Rats.
abstract: Transfer from the breeding facility to a research facility is a stressful event for laboratory animals. Heat stress has been reported to constitute one of the major concerns during transport of animals. This study measured ambient and body temperature, corticosterone and glucose levels, body weight, behavior and water and food intake before, during and after transfer in Wistar rats. Decreased body weight, water and food intake were observed on the day of transfer in rats. Environmental temperature strongly affected body temperature of rats and needs to be controlled. Male rats need to habituate for at least one week, females for two weeks after transfer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animals in Science & Society, Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands. jarts@harlan.com.|Harlan Laboratories B.V., P.O. Box 553, Venray, 5800 AN, The Netherlands. jarts@harlan.com.
authors.forename: Johanna W M
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Arts
authors.affiliation: Department of Animals in Science & Society, Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands. n.oosterhuis@umcu.nl.|Department of Human and Animal Physiology, P.O. Box 338, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, 6700 AH, The Netherlands. n.oosterhuis@umcu.nl.
authors.forename: Nynke R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Oosterhuis
authors.affiliation: Department of Animals in Science & Society, Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands. k.kramer@vu.nl.|Department of Occupational Health, Safety and Environment, Free University, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands. k.kramer@vu.nl.
authors.forename: Klaas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: Department of Animals in Science & Society, Division of Animal Welfare & Laboratory Animal Science, Veterinary Faculty, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CM, The Netherlands. f.ohl@uu.nl.
authors.forename: Frauke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ohl
keywords: Thermochron iButton; ambient temperature; behavior; body temperature; corticosterone; glucose; rats; transfer; transportation