Noise and Vibration Generation and Response of Mice (Mus musculus) to Routine Intrafacility Transportation Methods

Intrafacility transport of mice is an essential function for both laboratory and husbandry personnel. However, transport may induce a stress response that can alter research findings and negatively impact animal welfare. To determine minimally adverse intrafacility transport methods, in-cage noise and vibration exposure during transport on a variety of transport vehicles (hand carrying, stainless steel rack, flatbed cart, metal teacart, plastic teacart, and a cart with pneumatic wheels) were measured. Under-cage and in-cage padding was tested for its ability to decrease noise and vibration on each vehicle. Behavioral (open field test and elevated plus maze) and corticosterone responses of mice were then measured following transport on the most adverse (metal teacart) and least adverse (pneumatic cart) methods of multicage transport. Behavioral measures showed no difference between transported mice and untransported mice in both single- and group-housed settings. Plasma corticosterone was significantly elevated in mice transported on the metal teacart immediately following transport and continued to have elevated trends in circadian peaks during the 48h of sampling. The cart with pneumatic wheels was most effective at reducing noise and vibration, reflected in posttransport corticosterone readings that remained equivalent to those in untransported mice. This study demonstrates that mitigation of noise and vibration during cart transport may decrease the impact of transport on certain stress parameters in mice.