Marmoset capture and transport

Attempting to capture a marmoset by hand or by net may cause it to become frightened and risk injuring itself, its cagemates or its handler. Williams et al. describe an alternative method they developed for the capture and transport of marmosets and other small NHPs. Food rewards encourage primates to enter a small, specially designed capture device, in which they have room to move freely. Handlers can then easily access the animals for routine procedures. This method seems to cause less stress to marmosets than do conventional capture methods. See page 116

Road rage in mice

Lab animals typically become stressed when they are transported, and the physiological effects of this stress may influence experimental outcomes. Hwang et al. investigated indicators of stress in mice that were transported by truck for several hours. Transportation affected serum corticosterone concentrations, chaperone protein expression and concentrations of serological enzymes associated with liver disease. See page 121

Keeping rats' heads straight

To obtain reproducible X-ray images for cephalometric studies, radiographers must use a head-holding device to maintain their subjects in a constant, stable position. de Oliveira et al. describe a positioning device they designed for dorsoventral radiography of rats used in dental research. The device, which connects to a standard dental X-ray machine, enabled researchers to repeatedly position rats for radiographic imaging and to produce a clear and consistent view of the target area. See page 127