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Change in locomotor activity pattern in mice: a model for recognition of distress?
C Jansen van't Land1, C F Hendriksen
1Central Animal Laboratory, National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Recognition and assessment of pain and distress is made by observing common clinical and behavioural signs. Observation usually occurs during a limited period of time and results can be biased by interpretation of an individual observer. To improve objective assessment of distress we studied the locomotor activity pattern of mice during a 24-h interval. As a reference compound, Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) was used. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with different doses FCA (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 ml) and observed for 5 to 7 days. Animals did not appear to be in pain and seemed to have a normal activity and behaviour pattern at first sight, however FCA induced a dose-dependent decrease of body weight. Open field activity (total distance run) measured during a limited period of time was not altered as a result of FCA. However, nocturnal activity was dose dependently decreased during the first 3 to 4 nights after treatment with FCA. The data presented indicate that using locomotor activity patterns over 24 h might be a useful adjunct and an objective approach to assess distress.
Insights
Observing mouse locomotor activity over 24 hours offers an objective method to assess distress. This approach revealed decreased nocturnal activity after Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) injection, even when overt signs of pain were absent.
Area of Science:
- Animal behavior research
- Pain and distress assessment
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Clinical and behavioral signs are common methods for assessing pain and distress in animals.
- Current observation methods are limited by short observation periods and observer interpretation bias.
- Objective assessment of animal distress requires novel methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of 24-hour locomotor activity patterns for objective distress assessment in mice.
- To establish a dose-dependent relationship between Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) administration and activity changes.
- To compare locomotor activity patterns with traditional observational methods for distress detection.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered varying doses of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) intraperitoneally.
- Locomotor activity was monitored over a 24-hour interval for 5 to 7 days post-injection.
- Body weight and open field activity (total distance) were also recorded.
Main Results:
- Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) induced a dose-dependent decrease in body weight.
- No significant alterations in open field activity were observed during limited observation periods.
- A dose-dependent decrease in nocturnal locomotor activity was observed during the first 3-4 nights after FCA treatment.
Conclusions:
- 24-hour locomotor activity patterns provide an objective measure of distress in mice.
- This method can detect distress that may not be apparent through traditional observational methods.
- Locomotor activity monitoring can serve as a valuable adjunct for assessing animal welfare and distress.