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Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
Construction noise decreases reproductive efficiency in mice
Skye Rasmussen1, Gary Glickman, Rada Norinsky
1The Comparative Bioscience Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York; The Tri-Institutional Training Program for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Science, New York, New York. rasmusss@mskcc.org
Summary
Construction noise negatively impacts mouse reproduction and pup growth. High noise levels during gestation and early postpartum decreased live births and increased stillborn pups, affecting overall reproductive efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Excessive noise is a known stressor affecting rodent health.
- Vivarium construction noise requires assessment to establish safe limits for animal welfare.
- Understanding noise impacts on gestation and neonatal development is crucial for laboratory animal facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of construction noise on mouse gestation and neonatal growth.
- To determine effective noise limits for vivarium environments during construction.
- To test the hypothesis that high construction noise levels reduce live births and neonatal growth.
Main Methods:
- Exposing female Swiss Webster mice to concrete saw cutting noise samples (70 and 90 dBA) during gestation.
- Exposing mice with litters to daily noise (70, 80, or 90 dBA) for one hour during the first week postpartum.
- Analyzing litter size, birth weight, stillborn pup incidence, and neonatal weight gain.
Main Results:
- Noise exposure during gestation and postpartum significantly decreased reproductive efficiency.
- Higher noise levels correlated with reduced live birth rates and an increased incidence of stillborn pups.
- Neonatal growth parameters were negatively affected by construction noise exposure.
Conclusions:
- Construction noise adversely affects mouse reproductive outcomes, including live birth rates and pup survival.
- Noise reduction strategies are necessary during vivarium construction to protect animal health and welfare.
- The study provides data to inform noise limit regulations in laboratory animal facilities.
