Refinement Database

Database on Refinement of Housing, Husbandry, Care, and Use of Animals in Research

This database, created in 2000, is updated every four months with newly published scientific articles, books, and other publications related to improving or safeguarding the welfare of animals used in research.

Tips for using the database:

  • This landing page displays all of the publications in the database.
  • Use the drop-down menus to filter these publications by Animal Type, Setting, and/or Topic.
  • Clicking on a parent category (e.g., Rodent) will include publications relating to all the items in that category (e.g., Chinchilla, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, etc.).
  • You may also add a keyword to further narrow your search.
  • Please note that at this time, only publications dated 2010 or later (with some exceptions) can be filtered by Animal Type and Topic, and only publications dated 2020 or later (with some exceptions) can be filtered by Setting. Most publications older than 2010 can only be searched by keyword. 
Dexter, S. L. 1992. Enrichment strategies for nonhuman primates: Physiological and behavioral needs. In: Implementation Strategies for Research Animal Well-Being: Institutional Compliance With Regulations. Kurlisch, L. (ed), 103-108. Scientist Center for Animal Welfare and WARDS, Bethesda, MD.

A description of the foraging/grooming board, and some inanimate enrichment options.

Dexter, S., Bayne, K. 1992. The effects of food treat provisioning and human interaction on the behavioral well-being of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 31(4), 6 (Abstract).

The effects of human interaction and food supplementation appear to be protracted, resulting in a reduction of behavioral disorders even after the enrichment is removed.

Dewey, R. A. J. 1992. Assessing the cost-effectiveness of specific enrichment items for captive chimpanzees. Master Abstracts 30(2), 375 (Abstract).
Dettmer, E. L., Philips, K. A., Rager, D. R. B. I. S. et al. 1992. Sensitization and habituation to venipuncture in Cebus apella. IVth Congress of the International Primatological Society, Abstracts, 353 (Abstract).
de Waal, F. B. M. 1992. A social life for chimpanzees in captivity. In: Chimpanzee Conservation and Public Health: Environments for the Future. Erwin, J. , Landon, J. C. (eds), 83-87. Diagnon/Bioqual, Rockville, MD.

Even the mere 'naming' of study subjects is still occasionally being questioned. ... Yet, experience tells us that we remember names better than numbers [p. 8]. ... Primate intelligence is to a large extent 'social'...

Dailey, K. L. 1992. Inexpensive food puzzles for primate enrichment. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 31(4), 33 (Abstract).

It has been our experience that changing the contents of the puzzle and varying the frequency of presentation aids in holding the interest of the primate. No data are included in this abstract.

Crawshaw, A. 1992. Sound playback as an environmental enrichment for captive callitrichids. Congress of the International Primatological Society, 305 (Abstract).

The environmental enrichment effect of sounds produced by other conspecifics was investigated in a preliminary report.

Cooper, P. L., Struthers, E. J., Parra, R. R. 1992. Sensory approach to enrichment design increases use of cage space and activity in research monkeys. Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science 31(4), 3 (Abstract).

The box was affixed to the cage top. Food items, colorful toy objects, and paper and cedar chips, were placed in the box. No data are included in this abstract.

Costin, C. 1992. Recommendations for the enrichment of captive tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) based on the behavior of group housed subjects. American Journal of Primatology 27, 24 (Abstract).

In considering alternatives for enrichment ... the addition of manipulata rather than additional animals may be a viable option.

Wolfle, T. L. 1992. Socialization of dogs. In: Implementation Strategies for Research Animal Well-Being: Institutional Compliance With Regulations. Krulisch, L. (ed), 15-21. Scientists Center for Animal Welfare [SCAW] , Bethesda, MD.

The importance of positive interactions with humans is emphasized. Moments taken to speak to and pet a dog will be repaid through reduction in the dog's fear response.

Veissier, I., Le Neindre, P. 1992. Reactivity of Aubrac heifers exposed to a novel environment alone or in groups of four. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 33, 11-15.

The fear response in an unfamiliar environment is reduced by the presence of another heifer

Viau, V., Sharma, S., Plotsky, P. M. et al. 1992. Increased plasma ACTH responses to stress in nonhandled compared with handled rats require basal levels of corticosterone and are associated with increased levels of ACTH secretagogues in the median eminence. Journal of Neuroscience 113, 1097-1105.

Handling of rat pups produced siginificantly lower plasma ACTH responses to a variety of stressors compared to nonhandled pups.

Van Liere, D. W. 1992. The significance of fowl's bathing in dust. Animal Welfare 1, 187-202.

Dustbathing in fowls (such as chickens) consists of tossing the litter onto and between the fluffed feathers and subsequently enclosing it by flattening the feathers. Recommendations are given concerning adequate dustbathing litter. A chronic deprivation...

Turner, R. J., Selby, J. I., Held, S. D. E. et al. 1992. Preferred substrates for penned laboratory rabbits. Animal Technology 43, 185-192.

Group-housed does preferred straw or shredded paper and avoided sawdust or wood shavings.

Tanaka, T., Hurnik, J. F. 1992. Comparison of behavior and performance of laying hens housed in battery cages and an aviary. Poultry Science 71, 235-243.
Stauffacher, M. 1992. Group housing and enrichment cages for breeding, fattening and laboratory rabbits. Animal Welfare 1, 105-125.

53% of rabbits who had been housed in small, conventional cages were unable to hop when being removed from their cages. A further 36% were able to hop only to a limited extent. However, 50%...

Schrott, L. M., Denenberg, V. H., Sherman, G. F. et al. 1992. Environmental enrichment, neocortical ectopias, and behavior in the autoimmune NZB mouse. Brain Research 67, 85-93.

Environmental enrichment is most effective for behavioral impairments mediated via cortical ectopias.

Schaeffer, D. O., Klienow, K. M., Krulish, L. 1992. The Care and Use of Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish in Research. Scientists Center for Animal Welfare, Bethesda, MD.

Recommendations for the appropriate care of amphibians, reptiles and fish.

Sales, G. D., Milligan, S. R. 1992. Ultrasound and laboratory animals. Animal Technology 43, 89-98.

Rodents are very sensitive to ultrasound.

Russell, W. M. S. , Burch, R. L. 1992 Special Edition. The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Potters Bar, UK.

The wages of inhumanity are paid in ambiguous or otherwise unsatisfactory experimental results. The authors introduce the concept of the 3 Rs, i.e. Replacement, Reduction, Refinement. Desirable as replacement is, it would be a mistake...

Roy, D. 1992. Environmental Enrichment for Cats in Rescue Centres (BSc. Thesis). University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

Cats use structures more often than the floor and prefer high structures over low ones.

Reed, H. J., Nicol, C. J. 1992. Effects of nest linings, pecking strips and partitioning on nest use and behaviour in modified battery cages. British Poultry Science 33, 719-727.

Hens spent most time in and made most visits to nest type C [peckable strip of artificial grass attached above the nest rear]. They made most visits to the nest [3 nest sites for 4...

Redbo, I. 1992. The influence of restraint on the occurrence of oral sterotypies in dairy cows. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 35, 115-123.

Tethering of dairy cows induces high levels of behavioural disturbances [tongue-rolling, bar-biting], possibly triggered by frustrated feed manipulation. .. Five of six cows stopped performing stereotypies after the transfer into loose housing, while one cow...

Pough, F. H. 1992. Setting guidelines for the care of reptiles, amphibians and fishes. In: The Care and Use of Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish in Research. Schaeffer, D. O., Klienow, K. M., Krulisch, L. (eds), 7-14. Scientists Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW), Bethesda, MD.

Valuable, basic recommendations for the adequate housing of reptiles, amphibians and fishes. The following issues are briefly discussed: (1) Water; (2) Humidity; (3) Light; (4) Cage Furnishings The cage environment [of frogs] must remain constant...

Pedersen, B. K., Curtis, S. E., Kelley, K. W. et al. 1992. Effect of enrichment and pen size on behavior, productivity and immune response of growing-finishing pigs. Journal of Animal Science 70(Supplement 1), 49 (Abstract).

Feeding efficiency was higher in pigs housed in enriched pens than in non-enriched pens.