Labanimal

The May episode of 3-Minute 3Rs from the North American 3Rs Collaborative (www.na3rsc.org), the NC3Rs (www.nc3rs.org.uk), and Lab Animal (www.nature.com/laban) Papers: 1. https://bit.ly/2vYuUPR 2. https://go.nature.com/2w2tzre 3. https://go.nature.com/2VEjEHz [NA3RC] Early mortality of pups in breeding colonies can reach upwards of 50% or higher depending upon the strain. While high pup mortality is often considered "normal", it instead may be indicative of an underestimated animal welfare issue that requires attention. Leidinger and colleagues investigate the influence of environmental enrichment as one way to mitigate early pup mortality rates. Enrichment, with nesting material and a shelter, protected against early mortality. Survival rates of pups born into enriched environments were more than double that of pups born into impoverished environments. The impoverished environment also had a negative impact on the developmental course of the remaining pups. Enrichment, among many potential benefits, may h