In-Homecage Blood Collection from Conscious Stumptailed Macaques
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1992 |
Authors: |
Reinhardt, V.; Cowley, D. |
Publication/Journal: |
Animal Welfare |
Keywords: |
animal welfare, homecage, stumptailed macaques, training, venipuncture |
Abstract:
Six adult female stumptailed macaques (Macaca arctoides) were trained within a two-week period to actively co-operate during in-homecage venipuncture rather than in a restraint apparatus away from the homecage. The training was based on consistent firmness, gentleness and patience. Total training time per subject ranged from 15 to 45 minutes with a mean of 33.5 minutes. Endocrinological analysis one week after the last training session revealed an insignificant increase (0.4%) in serum cortisol between venipuncture samples taken 15 minutes apart. It was concluded that training stumptailed macaques to actively co-operate during blood collection in their familiar homecage promotes the animals’ well-being by avoiding undue disturbance; increases the validity of research data collected by minimizing distress, and reduces health risks of the handling personnel by eliminating the need to carry the animals to a special area.