EFFECT OF DIFFERENT BEDDING MATERIALS ON THE REPRODUCTIVE-PERFORMANCEOF MICE

Vermiculite, pine shavings and unbleached eucalyptus pulp contact-bedd ing were compared using the number of litters and individuals born and weaned, mortality rates at different stages of the lactation period, and the weight increase of pups as evaluation indices for bedding qual ity. These bedding materials exerted different effects on the reproduc tive performance of the same mouse strain. The same is true for the ef fect of a specific bedding material on different mouse strains. These effects are most pronounced during the first 4 days of life. As a whol e, the results demonstrated that eucalyptus pulp was the better beddin g type, followed by pine shavings and vermiculite. The latter material had a detrimental effect on the mating success of AKR mice.