ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

这个子项目是许多研究子项目中利用 资源由NIH/NCRR资助的中心拨款提供。子项目和 调查员(PI)可能从NIH的另一个来源获得了主要资金， 并因此可以在其他清晰的条目中表示。列出的机构是 该中心不一定是调查人员的机构。 导言：2009年，环境丰富和行为研究计划继续向前推进。方法：技术包括：1)社会介绍和持续的社会动态监测，2)检测幸福感受损的行为迹象并应用干预措施来解决这些问题，3)分配饲料和无生命的增肥，4)安装新的住房设施，5)应用积极的强化训练和其他形式的人类互动，以及6)评估动物的健康和项目制定的结果。结果/讨论：研究群体在任何时候居住在社会上的百分比都超过了以前的水平。将猴子从同一繁育群体直接转移到配对笼子中进行研究任务的做法已经成为惯例，在某些情况下，这种做法取消了单独饲养猴子的做法，在另一些情况下，缩短了单独饲养猴子的时间。在喂食和可操纵对象方面的实现水平有所提高。通过在所有笼子上增加悬挂装置和在野外围栏内增加悬挂基质，显著增加了动物环境的复杂性。愿意接受陌生人款待的动物比例继续增加，这表明人与动物之间的动态关系正在不断进步。积极的强化培训活动促进了对研究程序的遵守、不同围栏之间的转换以及缓和应激反应。一项新的计划旨在改善人与动物之间的互动，防止与压力相关的幸福感和行为减退，从而在适应笼舍期间为猴子脱敏。丰富计划的工作人员系统地为新员工培训和继续教育做出贡献。这位行为生物学家与杜兰大学医学院药理学系、杜兰大学基因治疗中心和耶克斯国家灵长类动物研究中心动物资源部的科学家和研究生进行合作研究。

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Introduction: The environmental enrichment and behavioral research programs continued move forward in 2009. Methods: Techniques include 1) social introduction and ongoing monitoring of social dynamics, 2) detection of behavioral signs of impaired wellbeing and application of interventions to address these problems, 3) distribution of feeding enrichment and inanimate enrichment, 4) installation of new housing features, 5) application of positive reinforcement training and other forms of human interaction, and 6) assessment of animal wellbeing and outcomes of program elaborations. Results/Discussion: The percentage of the research colony socially housed at any one time has surpassed previous levels. The practice of moving monkeys from the same breeding groups directly into pair caging for research assignment has become routine, and has in some cases eliminated the use of single housing and in others reduced the duration of single housing. Implementation levels have risen for feeding and manipulable objects. Significant increases in the complexity of animal environments have been accomplished via the addition of hanging devices to all cages and additional hanging substrates within field enclosure. The proportion of animals that will take a treat offered by a stranger continues to increase, suggesting ongoing progress in the human-animal dynamic. Positive reinforcement training activities fostered compliance with research procedures, with shifting between enclosures, and with moderating stress reactions. A new program to desensitize monkeys during adjustment to cage-housing aims to improve human-animal interactions and prevent the development of stress-related decrements in wellbeing and behavior. Enrichment program staff systematically contribute to new employee training and continuing education. The Behavioral Biologist conducts collaborative research with scientists and graduate students in the Department of Pharmacology at the Tulane University School of Medicine, the Tulane University Center for Gene Therapy, and the Department of Animal Resources at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center.