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. 
Brunelli, R. L., Gottlieb, D., Holcomb, K. et al. 2009. Effects of positive reinforcement training on infant behavioral development in nursery-reared rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 71(S1), 74. (32nd Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #136)

At the California National Primate Research Center, one key to long-term success of macaque breeding colonies is to develop effective infant-rearing strategies that minimize the emergence of behavioral pathologies, which can be one indicator of...

West, A. M., Leland, S. P., Lorence, M. A. et al. 2008. Behavioral correlates of alopecia severity in laboratory rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 70(S1), 51. (31st Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #93)

Alopecia in laboratory primates is often regarded as a sign of excessive self-grooming due to social deprivation or insufficient environmental enrichment. The purpose of this study was to examine, in individually housed macaques, the occurrence...

Iredale, S. K., Nevill, C. H., Lutz, C. K. 2008. The influence of observer presence on the behavior of singly housed baboons (Papio sp.) and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 70(S1), 29. (31st Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #28)

Live, direct observations are often used to collect behavioral data. However, the presence of an observer may affect the behavior of unhabituated subjects. This study was conducted to determine the effect of an observer’s presence...

Hawkins, P., Hubrecht, R., Buckwell, A. et al. 2008. Refining Rabbit Care: A Resource for Those Working With Rabbits in Research. UFAW/RSPCA: Southwater, UK, 27 pp.

The report sets out how to provide: optimal enclosure characteristicsand size; social housing; solid flooring and substrate; raised areas; refuges; gnawing objects and dietary enrichment; positive interaction with humans; toys and objects to manipulate; for...

Schapiro, S. J., Laule, G., Seelig, D. 2007. "Applied behavior" panel discussion. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 10(1), 79-81.

Adriane and Kris just trained eight rhesus monkeys to present their arms in the blood sleeve for blood samples, and it took, on average ... 8 months ... 160 minutes spread out into 40 sessions.

Minkel, R. 2007. Pair-housing eliminates compulsive hair pulling: a case report. Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum (electronic discussion group), September 27, 2007.

At a previous institution we had a cyno who suffered from severe hair pulling. He had removed practically all hair from his body; all that was left was a patch in the middle of his...

McMillan, J. L., Perlman, J. E., Bloomsmith, M. A. 2007. Components of an animal training program at a large institution. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 117. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #177)

The application of positive reinforcement training (PRT) has increased in zoological, laboratory, and research settings in recent years, however there is little literature pertaining to the development and implementation of such programs. Over the past...

Mallapur, A., Waran, N., Sinha, A. 2007. A note on enrichment for captive lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus). Applied Animal Behaviour Science 108(1-2), 191-195.

Two enrichment techniques were devised with the aim of reducing stress and improving welfare for captive lion-tailed macaques in an Indian zoo. In Study A, a log, cotton ropes and a feeding basket were added...

Maloney, M. A., Baker, K. C., Griffis, C. et al. 2007. Behavioral responses by singly-housed adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) during human interaction and positive reinforcement training. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 53. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #49)

Males complied with significantly more commands, and overall learned significantly more basic husbandry commands than females. Trainers should expect agonistic responses to increase throughout the training process.

Lutz, C. K., Davis, E. J., Suomi, S. J. et al. 2007. The expression of self-injurious behavior in Macaca mulatta: prevalence, risk factors, and context. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 38. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #18)

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) such as self-biting and self-wounding has been observed in a small, but persistent, percentage of captive nonhuman primates. Although biting often looks severe, not all self-biters wound themselves. Risk factors for SIB...

Leland, S. P., West, A. M., Erwin, J. M. et al. 2007. Incorporation of enrichment objects in threat displays by laboratory rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 50. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #43)

Self-directed aggression in laboratory macaques is commonly considered an abnormal behavioral pattern signaling psychological disturbance, whether it is in the form of self-injurious behavior (SIB) or is just part of a self-directed threat display (SDD)...

LAREF [Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum] 2007. Chapter 7.4. Pole-and-collar training of macaques. In: Making Lives Easier for Animals in Research Labs: Discussions by the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum. Baumans, V., Coke, C., Green, J., Moreau, E., Morton, D., Patterson-Kane, E., Reinhardt, A., Reinhardt, V., Van Loo, P. (eds), 127-130. Animal Welfare Institute, Washington, DC.

While strictly using positive reinforcement and applying patient gentle-firmness, most macaques can be trained to cooperate during the pole-attachment-chairing procedure. Some cannot be trained, because they have problems overcoming their often-legitimate mistrust of humans.

Higley, J. D., Davis, E., Woodward, R. A. et al. 2007. Self-injurious behavior in rhesus macaques: early history and present factors and the role of the serotonin system. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 39. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #21)

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a problem of virtually all nonhuman primate research facilities. Its incidence varies between institutions and with the strictness of the criteria that are used. Nevertheless, it is widely agreed that several...

Henderson, J., Coleman, K., Bethea, C. L. 2007. Alterations in the serotonin system of monkeys exhibiting self-injurious behaviors. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 40. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #22)

Self-injurious behavior (SIB) presents a serious problem in laboratory macaques that cannot be socially housed for scientific reasons. Pharmaceutical treatments that alter the serotonin (5HT) system have sometimes proven effective in alleviating SIB in both...

Griffis, C., Bloomsmith, M. A., Baker, K. C. et al. 2007. Abnormal behavior as a factor of compliance with positive reinforcement training for singly-housed adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 93. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #128)

Positive reinforcement training is an important element of behavioral management programs for nonhuman primates. However, more empirical information is needed to determine whether animals identified for intervention will engage in such training, affecting the amount...

Fontenot, M. B., Anderson, G. M. 2007. Fluoxetine dose finding study for treatment of self-injurious behavior in Macaca mulatta. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 48. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #38)

Based on clinical efficacy in the short-term treatment of self-injurious behavior in macaques, we performed a dose-finding study to establish optimal doses of fluoxetine (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor). The subjects were 11 male (aged 7...

Crockett, C. M., Bentson, K. L., Bellanca, R. U. 2007. Alopecia and overgrooming in laboratory monkeys vary by species but not sex, suggesting a different etiology than self-biting. American Journal of Primatology 69(S1), 87. (30th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #117)

Alopecia in laboratory monkeys can result from overgrooming (OG), medical conditions, or hormonal variation. Because hair loss is visible, disproportionate intervention may be expected relative to other indicators of potentially compromised well-being. Two analyses (α=0.05)...

Conour, L. A., Murray, K. A., Brown, M. J. 2006. Preparation of animals for research -- Issues to consider for rodents and rabbits. ILAR Journal 47(4), 283-293.

This article provides details to consider when preparing to use animals in biomedical research. The stress of transport and receipt of animals into a new environment mandate the need for a period of stabilization and...

Capitanio, J. P., Kyes, R. C., Fairbanks, L. A. 2006. Considerations in the selection and conditioning of Old World monkeys for laboratory research: Animals from domestic sources. ILAR Journal 47(4), 294-306.

Preparation of domestically bred animals for research usually involves some combination of social separation, relocation, resocialization, alterations in physical space, photoperiod, and diet, as well as exposure to novel environments. The research literature that has...

Tiefenbacher, S., Fahey, M. A., Rowlett, J. K. et al. 2005. The efficacy of diazepam treatment for the management of acute wounding episodes in captive rhesus macaques. Comparative Medicine 55(4), 387-392.

This study examined the effects of diazepam (Valium) on self-wounding and other abnormal behaviors in eight individually housed male rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Each monkey's response to an anxiolytic dose of diazepam (1 mg/kg or...

Taylor, D. K., Bass, T., Flory, G. S. et al. 2005. Use of low-dose chlorpromazine in conjunction with environmental enrichment to eliminate self-injurious behavior in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). Comparative Medicine 55(3), 282-288.

A 7-year-old, captive-bred, female rhesus macaque was placed in a quarantine facility upon arrival at our institution. At release from quarantine, she was observed pawing at and chewing on her left cheek. ... SIB in...

Skoumbourdis, E. K., Potratz, K. 2005. Diazepam is more effective than midazolam when used as an aid in chair training non-human primates. American Journal of Primatology 66(S1), 164. (28th Meeting of the American Society of Primatologists Scientific Program, Abstract #176)

Non-human primates (NHPs) are utilized frequently in biomedical research and can be difficult and sometimes dangerous to handle. Because of this, restraint is sometimes necessary for data collection. Restraint chair training is generally a straightforward...

Kulpa-Eddy, J. A., Taylor, S., Adams, K. M. 2005. USDA perspectives on environmental enrichment for animals. ILAR Journal 46(2), 83-94.

This article provides a brief historical background of the events and circumstances that led to the 1985 Animal Welfare Act (AWA) amendments. It describes the development of the regulations promulgated by the US Department of...

Fontenot, M. B., Padgett, E. E., Dupuy, A. M. et al. 2005. The effects of fluoxetine and buspirone on self-injurious and stereotypic behavior in adult male rhesus macaques. Comparative Medicine 55(1), 67-74.

Fluoxetine and buspirone were significantly effective in reducing rates of self-biting during treatment weeks 1 to 8 and self-directed stereotypic behavior during weeks 5 to 12 and post-treatment. No significant effect of either treatment on...

Down, N., Skoumbourdis, E., Walsh, M. et al. 2005. Pole-and-collar training: A discussion by the Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum. Animal Technology and Welfare 4, 157-161.

Experiences with the pole-and-collar training training are shared. Yes, most monkeys can be trained but some cannot, or let's say they should not be trained because their personality -- which is presumably conditioned through negative...