Environmental enrichment of laboratory animals used in regulatory toxicology studies

There is a wealth of information in the published literature which describe s a multitude of approaches to enriching the environment of laboratory anim als. This paper attempts to review the various methods of enrichment throug h social contact, enhancement of the environment and diet, and improvements in husbandry. It attempts to place the various enrichment initiatives with in the context of a laboratory which conducts regulatory toxicology, descri bes some of the experiences in the author's own laboratory and attempts to highlight those ideas which might prove practical to implement in the futur e. The aim is to demonstrate that a creative approach to environmental enri chment is indeed compatible with regulatory toxicology. It is hoped that th is will encourage those responsible for the care and welfare of animals in such a laboratory to challenge historical practices and include environment al enrichment as a fundamental necessity of study design.