Why should mice not be touched? - briefly
Handling mice can transmit pathogens to humans and cause stress or injury to the animal, compromising both health and experimental reliability. Their delicate physiology also makes them prone to bruising, fractures, or respiratory distress when improperly handled.
Why should mice not be touched? - in detail
Mice are highly sensitive animals; direct contact can cause physiological stress that interferes with normal biological functions. Stress hormones such as corticosterone rise sharply when a mouse is handled, leading to altered metabolism, immune suppression, and changes in behavior that compromise experimental reliability.
Physical injury is another risk. Their delicate skin and skeletal structure are prone to bruising, abrasions, or broken bones if grasped improperly. Even gentle handling with fingers can compress the thorax, reducing lung capacity and causing respiratory distress.
Transmission of pathogens is a concern for both the animal and the handler. Mice carry zoonotic agents (e.g., hantavirus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus) that can be transferred through saliva, urine, or fur. Protective barriers such as gloves and cages reduce this risk, but eliminating direct contact removes it entirely.
Ethical guidelines for laboratory animal care emphasize minimizing discomfort. Regulations (e.g., the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals) require that handling procedures be refined to limit pain and distress. Avoiding touch aligns with these standards and supports humane treatment.
When observation or data collection is necessary, alternative methods include:
- Use of transparent cages for visual monitoring.
- Implementation of automated tracking systems that record movement without physical interference.
- Application of remote sensing devices (e.g., infrared cameras, weight sensors).
These approaches preserve animal welfare, maintain data integrity, and protect personnel from disease exposure.