Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 8, 2026

An Appetitive Spatial Working Memory Task for Mice in a Semi-Automated 8-Arm Radial Maze, Reducing Fearful Memory Association in the Maze
14:24

An Appetitive Spatial Working Memory Task for Mice in a Semi-Automated 8-Arm Radial Maze, Reducing Fearful Memory Association in the Maze

Published on: July 29, 2025

Taming anxiety in laboratory mice.

Jane L Hurst1, Rebecca S West

  • 1Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, UK. jane.hurst@liv.ac.uk

Nature Methods
|September 14, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Handling laboratory mice by the tail causes anxiety. Using tunnels or an open hand promotes voluntary approach, reducing stress and improving acceptance of restraint for animal welfare.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Identifying Causes of Reproductive Failure in Zoo-Housed Bush Dogs (Speothos venaticus) to Improve Ex Situ Management.

Zoo biology·2026
Same author

Identifying immunodominant proteins in mouse urine.

The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology·2025
Same author

Egalitarian cooperation linked to central oxytocin levels in communal breeding house mice.

Communications biology·2024
Same author

Embedding Nursing Ethics Within Teaching Strategies in Nurse Residency Programs.

Journal for nurses in professional development·2024
Same author

The role of male scent in female attraction in the bank vole, Myodes glareolus.

Scientific reports·2024
Same author

Assessing the safety and suitability of using silver vine as an olfactory enrichment for cats.

iScience·2023
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Area of Science:

  • Animal behavior
  • Laboratory animal science
  • Comparative psychology

Background:

  • Routine handling is a significant stressor for laboratory animals.
  • The specific impact of different handling methods on animal anxiety is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how different handling methods affect anxiety and stress responses in laboratory mice.
  • To identify handling techniques that minimize distress and promote positive human-animal interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of tail handling versus tunnel or open-hand methods.
  • Assessment of behavioral indicators of anxiety and stress.
  • Evaluation of animal acceptance of physical restraint post-handling.

Main Results:

  • Tail handling induced aversion and high anxiety in mice.
  • Tunnel and open-hand methods resulted in voluntary approach and low anxiety.
  • Mice handled with tunnels or open hands showed greater acceptance of physical restraint.

Conclusions:

  • The method of handling significantly impacts laboratory mouse anxiety levels.
  • Tunnel or open-hand techniques are recommended to reduce stress during routine handling.
  • Minimizing handling-induced anxiety is crucial for animal welfare and research validity.

More Related Videos

Handling Techniques to Reduce Stress in Mice
09:03

Handling Techniques to Reduce Stress in Mice

Published on: September 25, 2021

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
04:20

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety

Published on: November 11, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 8, 2026

An Appetitive Spatial Working Memory Task for Mice in a Semi-Automated 8-Arm Radial Maze, Reducing Fearful Memory Association in the Maze
14:24

An Appetitive Spatial Working Memory Task for Mice in a Semi-Automated 8-Arm Radial Maze, Reducing Fearful Memory Association in the Maze

Published on: July 29, 2025

Handling Techniques to Reduce Stress in Mice
09:03

Handling Techniques to Reduce Stress in Mice

Published on: September 25, 2021

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
04:20

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety

Published on: November 11, 2022