The effect of the environmental enrichment to genetically modified mice's wellness.

Abstract

The great human knowledge progress in human and veterinary medicine and the use of laboratory animals in scientific researches, resulted in a need to implement new techniques that would favor the laboratory animals' wellness. In this experiment, genetically modified mice from the STOCK Hbatm1Paz Hbbtm1Tow Tg (HBA-HBBs) 41Paz/J lineage were used, divided in Control group and Super Environmental Enrichment (EE) group, with 5 matrices in each group. During the whole experiment, the S.P.F (Specific Pathogen Free) mice matrices were kept in two isolating units in a refrigerated environment, with temperature 21ºC±3, 12h/12h photoperiod in the Gnotobiosis department from CEMIB/UNICAMP. All materials and inputs, including EEs, were sterilized inside autoclave cylinders at 125 º C for 30 minutes, connected, and transferred to the isolating units. 120 observation hours were carried out and with weekly assessment for 60 days of animal reproductive performance (interbirths, reproduction ability rate, mortality rate, weight curve for babies and matrices). The results obtained shown improvement on the locomotor and exploratory activity of the group with EE; however, both groups presented the same reproductive performance. The use of environmental enrichment in lineages of genetically modified mice was efficient concerning the animal wellness.