ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT IN BREEDING AND MAINTENANCE OF LABORATORY MICE (Mus musculus)

Enrichment of environmental conditions of laboratory mice model in most in-vivo studies may be
attributed to quantity and quality of data output. Despite reports on welfare of Mus musculus (albino
mice), there is dearth of studies in comparing standard breeding of this specie in enriched group (EG)
and Un-enriched group (UG). The study examined productivity by breeding Mus musculus under
standard laboratory condition, using comparison of this specie in proper (enriched) versus poor (unenriched) condition. Six male and female mice (20 to 25g) were immaculately housed, fed, grouped
into 2 (EG and UG) and bred using 2 phases of trio system (one male and two females) for 12 weeks
(84 days). Results inferred production of more litters in EG (18/19) than UG, (12/14), respectively
and more females' production than males in both groups for both phases. The number of cannibalised
litters was more in UG (5 litters were cannibalised with 71.4 to 91.7 % survival rate) compared to EG
(1 litter was cannibalised with 94.7 to 100% survival rate), during both phases. Asignificant (p < 0.05)
difference was observed in volume of water consumed and average weight of mice in EG, when
compared to UG. However, no significant (p > 0.05) difference observed in feed consumption of the
two groups. The temperature readings (33.53±0.16 / 34.89 ±0.21) of clinical and mercury in glass
thermometers of both groups revealed no significant difference. Thus, enriched group of laboratory
mice appears to be more productive than un-enriched group during breeding period.