Rats (and mice) are often the animals of choice to try and model human conditions, treatment and body functions - even though we know that using animals to try and model people fails over 90% of the time.

Mice and rats are commonly used due to their small size, low maintenance (i.e., they are easy to house and care for), short life cycle, and ability to breed quickly (allowing large numbers to be generated for studies).

They also share many of our genes.1 However, that's not surprising. Even cats share many of our genes.2

Rats are used is some of the most gruesome experiments that involve things like force-feeding, poisoning, oxygen deprivation and invasive surgery.

Rats in NZ have been used for:
  • Drug research, including safety and efficiency testing.
  • Teaching purposes in schools, mainly dissections.
  • Investigating ways of killing wild rats. (i.e., research into effective poisons and traps).
  • Medical research, including research into the development of severe diseases (i.e., stroke, diabetes, cancer), modelling neurological disorders (i.e., Schizophrenia, Autism), modelling mood disorders (i.e., example, anxiety, and depression) and research into tinnitus.
  • Drug addiction research including research into the development and suppression of addictions and the impacts of drug use.
  • Basic biological research, including research into digestion, aging, nerve damage, obesity and how the brain functions.

Places that use rats for science in NZ include crown research institutes, private companies and universities. In fact, most universities have their own breeding colonies. Otago University states on its website that they have a dedicated rat testing room in the Behavioural Phenotyping Unit.3

Rats used for science in NZ are sourced from breeding units, public or commercial sources, the wild (captured) and they are imported from overseas.

Discover real-life examples of how rats have been used in NZ below!

Measuring thickness of blood vessel walls

Colony cats were anaesthetised, and the blood vessels under their tongue were measured with a special hand-held camera.

Publication Link

Collecting faeces for lab tests

Colony cats were fed different diets for three weeks before their faeces was collected for analyses.

Publication Link

Surveying caregivers on their cat feeding

New Zealand cat caregivers filled in an online survey about their household demographics and what/how they feed their cats.

Publication Link

Testing new toxin in Hawke’s Bay (again)

Toxic bait traps were placed on a property in Hawke’s Bay. Cat population changes were monitored with stationary cameras.

Publication Link

Assessing stress reaction to anaesthesia in cats

Cats were put through several anaesthetic infusions with six-day breaks in between. Regular saliva samples were taken 24 hours before and after, and urine was collected through a wire mesh tray.

Publication Link

Trialling ready-made toxic bait

Toxic bait stations are set up in a regular pattern in an area and left for two weeks. Trial cameras and tracking tunnels monitor the effect on the population.

Publication Link

Studying medical data of cat and dog CT-imaging

Medical data from cats and dogs were gathered, and animals that had been euthanised for other reasons were examined.

Publication Link

Testing if a human diabetes drug might also work in cats

Research cats were placed in individual cages four times (one week each time) and injected with either a diabetes drug or a control solution. Several blood and urine samples were taken.

Publication Link

Testing a cat food supplement for tooth health

Colony cats were anaesthetised, and all plaque was removed from their teeth. Four weeks later, new plaque build-up was measured.

Publication Link

Sampling cats for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)

Buccal swabs (inside the cheek) were collected from almost 200 cats at 15 veterinary clinics.

Publication Link

Testing food preferences of cats

Cats were fasted for two hours in the mornings and then presented with different foods (lamb and beef parts) to measure their consumption.

Publication Link

Monitoring wild cats for a year

Wild cats are trapped and fitted with GPS collars. After one year, they are recaptured and killed.

Publication Link

Trialling a lighter rifle to kill trapped wild cats

Captured wild cats were shot in the head using an air rifle and were assessed to confirm death by recording the time to loss of heartbeat.

Publication Link

Testing a predictive marker for cancer survival in cats

Veterinary samples of cats with this form of cancer were analysed and compared with their remaining survival since diagnosis.

Publication Link

Monitoring outdoor cat behaviour

Privately owned cats with outdoor access were fitted with camera and GPS collars for up to three days.

Publication Link

Testing a diagnostic for feline coronavirus

Cats with specific symptoms were used to take blood, tissue, and fluid samples. Some blood samples were taken from control cats.

Publication Link

Investigating how worms spread between lambs and calves

Lambs and calves were infected with worm eggs to see if parasites from cattle can infect sheep.

Publication Link

Testing a fertility treatment

Cows with fertility problems were treated with hormones for ten days or left untreated. All were then artificially inseminated.

Publication Link

Testing a supplement for more calcium intake

Pregnant cows were fed with or without a specific feed additive. After birth, all were fed the same diet. Blood samples were taken in the weeks around birth.

Publication Link

Checking endometritis rates in dairy herds

Some cows in several dairy herds were selected, and their vaginal discharge was measured and sampled. They were then impregnated as per standard agricultural practice.

Publication Link

Comparing weight gain with different diets

Newborn calves were raised on various milk, pasture, and pellets combinations. They were slaughtered at two years old, and their “quality” was measured.

Publication Link

Testing pain meds for disbudding

The horn buds of young calves who were slightly sedated were burned off with a hot iron. Half of them received pain meds beforehand, and blood samples were taken before and after. After 24 hours, the second group received pain meds, too.

Publication Link

Studying Ikeda infection and treatment

Regular blood samples were taken from cows on three different farms. Only some were treated against the parasite. Milk production and fertility were recorded.

Publication Link

Studying diarrhea infection

New mother cows had blood samples taken. If the sample was negative for a diarrhoea virus, they were sampled again after a while.

Publication Link

Studying genes for body size

Udders of dairy cows were slightly cut with a scalpel, and a tissue sample was taken with a biopsy needle.

Publication Link

Testing toxicity of a potential new fertiliser

Pregnant cows were fed a toxic ingredient to see if it is toxic.

Publication Link

Studying stress around birth

Blood samples were taken from cows with a high or low risk of health concerns after birth.

Publication Link

Studying genetics of a missing tail

Cloned foetuses were implanted into female cattle to research taillessness. Some of them were killed during pregnancy to examine the foetuses. One tailless animal was killed at age 4, and one of the cloned calves died after birth.

Publication Link

Studying Ikeda (parasite) infection

Blood samples were taken from dairy cows and their calves directly after birth before separating them. After four months, the calves were sampled again.

Publication Link

Studying Osteoporosis in cows

Young female cattle who had given birth for the first time were sent to slaughter. Half of them had broken bones for between 2 and 10 days. Blood samples were taken before slaughter, and bones were collected after.

Publication Link

Testing a tuberculosis vaccine

Male calves were infected with bacteria. Two groups were vaccinated before or after the infection, and the third group was left untreated. All were killed and dissected 13 weeks later.

Publication Link

Testing feeding plans for better immunity after calving

Pregnant cows were fed either a bit too much or a bit too little. Blood samples were taken before, at, and after calving. Researchers also took liver samples with a 20-cm biopsy needle and vaginal samples with a small brush and a scoop at these dates, except for the date of birth.

Publication Link

Testing if blackcurrant extract is toxic for dogs

Dogs are given blackcurrant pills for several days. The number of pills increases over time up to 60 tablets. Their health is monitored.

Publication Link

Practising first aid on working dogs

The 2-day course involved training students with mannequins, placing an IV catheter in the handler's dogs (dogs were lightly sedated), a live demo and practical exercises on anaesthetised sheep that would killed afterwards.

Publication Link

Testing intermittent fasting

Dogs will be fed three different ways for one week each. A high carb diet twice a day, a high carb diet every two days, and a high fat, low carb diet every two days. Each dog will have 12 blood samples taken throughout the study.

Publication Link

Testing the fitness level of police dogs

Police dogs are fitted with a catheter for a whole week and get infused with a marker solution. They are fitted with an activity measuring collar and regularly have blood sampled.

Publication Link

Testing how sensitive some dog breeds are to pain

Dogs were tested for their pain threshold by having a disk the size of a coin placed onto one of their forelegs. This disc could be heated up remotely. Several tests with 10-minute breaks in-between were performed, where the disk temperature was raised until the dog showed signs of pain. Almost half the dogs showed burn marks after testing.

Publication Link

Testing what dogs prefer to eat

Dogs are fed three different diets (either high fat, high carb, or high protein) over 28 days once a day. The dogs are offered each of the three diets at once and in high quantities. Regular stool samples are taken. Blood samples are taken from dogs that have been fasted (18 hours with no food).

Publication Link

Studying how long morphine affects dogs

Dogs scheduled to have ovaries and uterus removed at a teaching clinic are used. Premedication, including morphine, is given 45min before the surgery. Dogs are fasted for 12 hours and water is withheld for about 1 hour before surgery. Blood samples are taken regularly for 4 hours.

Publication Link

Studying the influence of diet on working farm dogs

Dogs working on farms are fed either a premium diet or a standard "home-kill plus tux" diet. All dogs have a collar to measure activity. Body weight, condition, and blood samples are recorded regularly for a year.

Publication Link

Testing a new biomarker

For regular blood samples over nine weeks, dogs are fasted overnight at the lab and returned to their owners the next day until the following sampling.

Publication Link

Studying if farm dogs are overworked

A glucose sensor is stuck between the dog's shoulder blades and sutured in place before a bandage is stapled over it. After being fasted, each dog is studied on glucose levels and activity for two days.

Publication Link

Testing different methods for skin sampling

Samples from the skin of dogs are taken in different ways: plucking hair with the roots, sellotape strips pressed down and ripped off several times, acetone-soaked cotton buds and solvent washes.

Publication Link

Testing nausea in dogs with different anaesthesia

Dogs who are about to have surgery are given different combinations of anti-nausea drugs to test the effects.

Publication Link

Testing a breathing mask on cats and dogs

Cats and dogs were held down tightly and fitted with face masks. Their breathing was measured for a while.

Publication Link

Learning when anaesthesia is lethal

The anaesthesia of pound dogs was gradually increased to dangerous levels. Students also practised taking blood samples, placing catheters and giving blood transfusions to the dogs, all while a teacher supervised.

Publication Link

Testing a gene therapy for Mucopolysaccharidosis

Newborn puppies are genotyped and divided into treatment groups. Some are left untreated. Some are injected with potential medication. The injection is into the neck vein or into the liver vein. For that, puppies are anaesthetised, have their belly cut open and the drug injected into the liver vein. All puppies are killed after regular blood and one spinal fluid sample.

Publication Link

Refining treatment for a (human) genetic disorder

Puppies with the genetic disorder MPS IIIA were treated with enzymes injected directly into the spinal fluid near the brain. Treatment was done until 22 -24 weeks old and varied in dose and frequency. In the end, the puppies were killed for dissection.

Publication Link

Studying fish behaviour in groups of multiple species

Mixed-species groups of fish (partly caught in the wild) were placed in a tank and fasted for 24 hours. Food was given and an artificial predator was used to study behaviour.

Publication Link

Studying food chains near CO2 vents

Fish and snails were observed and counted near CO2 vents and at control sites. Fish were also caught to examine their stomach content.

Publication Link

Studying fish behaviour in single-species groups

Young fish were caught in the wild and split into groups of 15, 75, and 150 animals. After being fasted for 24 hours, food was given and an artificial predator was used to study behaviour.

Publication Link

Testing the side-bias of fish (if they prefer to swim left or right)

Wild-caught fish were kept for 1.5 years before each fish was placed on a runway to observe their behaviour. Afterwards, fish were observed for schooling movements and some were killed to dissect their brains.

Publication Link

Studying effects of Climate Change on farming in damselfish

Fish were observed for their algae farming behaviour near CO2 vents and at control sites (Bay of Plenty). Small areas were covered to keep the fish away for a month and compare algae growths measured to compare.

Publication Link

Trying to estimate habitat quality from body condition

Snappers were hatched from eggs and raised on commercial food. They were kept in 800-litre flow-through tanks containing 170 to 260 fish each. At 80 days, they were fasted killed.

Publication Link

Trying different techniques for tagging fish

Fish were bait-trapped and treated for parasites. They were used to test different tagging methods. In the second part of the experiment, fish were caught with two different methods, after which injuries and survival over 12 days were monitored.

Publication Link

Studying fish near volcanic vents to learn about Climate Change

Fish near volcanic CO2 vents and at control sites were observed and counted. The reaction to baited underwater cameras and predator threats was filmed. Aquarium experiments were conducted with caught fish of different species.

Publication Link

Verifying “fish-friendly” flood pumps

Eels were caught, measured and tagged with transponders into the gut skin. They were later re-captured, observed for wounds and fungus and killed to examine internal damage.

Publication Link

Testing the temperature tolerance of Antarctic fish

Wild-caught fish were kept individually for months in tanks. During temperature experiments, fish of each group were tested for their breathing ability in small tubes before all fish were killed.

Publication Link

Slowly poisoning fish

Snappers were fasted for three days and then fed with toxic fish. Several died during feeding, and the rest were killed at the end.

Publication Link

Studying population changes in reef fish

Over 1,000 fish were caught by spearing at three NZ locations.

Publication Link

Testing the hearing of fish

Fish were anaesthetised and strapped to a plastic slide near an underwater speaker. Electrodes were placed in their head and gills to measure brain activity. For medical imaging, fish were restrained in a plastic tube with a sponge to keep them wet.

Publication Link

Developing a model for thermal stress in humans

Guinea pig pups were lightly anaesthetised, connected to devices measuring heart activity and breathing, and wrapped in a temperature-controlling blanket. Their body temperature was either forcefully raised or dropped.

Publication Link

Testing how too much fructose is bad during pregnancy

Female guinea pigs were mated; some were fed additional sugary water until birth. The pups were used for several glucose tolerance tests and X-rays. All pups were killed in the end.

Publication Link

Testing a seizure medicine for preterm babies

Pregnant guinea pigs were induced to give birth early, to test medication on their pups.

Publication Link

Testing the effects of sedatives

Young guinea pigs were treated with different sedatives. Their heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and during each treatment.

Publication Link

Testing a refined way of anaesthesia in guinea pigs

Guinea pigs were made to inhale anaesthetic gases. Different probes were inserted and attached to the animals to measure responses.

Publication Link

Studying the effect of fructose during pregnancy

Guinea pigs were fed either normally or supplemented with fruit sugar before and during pregnancy until birth. Mothers and pups were tested for glucose tolerance.

Publication Link

Studying the effects of meth

Guinea pigs were injected with sedatives, caffeine, and later meth. Under anaesthesia, their livers were cut out before they were killed.

Publication Link

Studying preterm birth effects on the brain

Pregnant guinea pigs were grouped to give birth normally or be induced early. The pups were put through behavioural tests and then killed for dissection.

Publication Link

Studying trauma and treatment of cochlear implants

After destroying their hearing with noise, guinea pigs were fitted with cochlear implants. Treatment success was tested before they were killed.

Publication Link

Testing the measurement of pupil reflexes in Alzheimer’s research

Guinea pigs were repeatedly flashed in the eyes with a phone light to record the pupil responses.

Publication Link

Teaching animal researchers

A range of animals is used to teach researchers handling and experimental methods.

Publication Link

Investigating mechanisms slowing down the heart rate

Young guinea pigs were injected with blood thinner before being anaesthetised and dissected.

Publication Link

Testing a device to assess hearing

Young guinea pigs were anaesthetised, electrodes placed under their skin, and their brain's response to sound was measured. All guinea pigs had one ear damaged, some both ears, before all were killed.

Publication Link

Studying changes in the inner ear due to inflammation

Guinea pigs were injected into the ear with bacteria. Medical scans were done after injecting chemicals, and most were killed for dissection.

Publication Link

Studying the effects of medication on memory

Guinea pigs were force-fed different drugs and later tested in a water maze before some were killed. Another group was exposed to carbon dioxide and decapitated.

Publication Link

Studying how anaesthetics affect intestine movement

Guinea pigs and rats were anaesthetised, then dissected, and then killed, in that order.

Publication Link

Researching scoliosis genes

Transgenic mice with a specific gene defect were mated. Pregnant mice were at several time points. The unborn babies were taken, skinned, and gutted to stain their skeletons for better pictures.

Publication Link

Studying hormone influences on obesity and fertility

Transgenic mice were bred to have diabetes symptoms. Together with control mice, they were fed a normal or a high caloric diet and compared for their fertility over 150 days.

Publication Link

Testing a new stroke treatment

Mice were squeezed into plastic cones, and test drugs were dripped on their nose. An artificial stroke was caused by injecting a chemical into their brain. Before and after, mice had to perform behavioural tests. All were then killed to take their brains.

Publication Link

Testing another new stroke treatment

Mice were operated on several times. They were made to experience an artificial stroke, were later injected with a possible treatment, and then were injected with a marker. The mice had their memory tested before they were killed.

Publication Link

Testing prostate cancer drugs

Mice were anaesthetised, and their prostate was injected with cancer cells or a control solution. A 42-day treatment course started three weeks later with different treatment drugs and control solutions. In the end, all mice were killed.

Publication Link

Testing a heart attack treatment

Mice were trained to eat jelly and then subjected to an artificial heart attack. They received either a new drug or a control substance. Regular heart ultrasounds were performed before they were killed and dissected.

Publication Link

Studying ovary problems caused by testosterone

Transgenic mice were implanted with a capsule containing either hormones or not. Vaginal smears were done for several weeks, and serial blood tests were performed twice. In the end, all mice were killed.

Publication Link

Testing an Autism treatment on transgenic mice

Mice were genetically modified to show "autism-like" symptoms. Together with control animals, they were either fed normally or with a high-zinc diet. Invasive behavioural tests were performed. At least some, likely all, were killed.

Publication Link

Comparing transgenic mice and humans

Mice were anaesthetised, and their body composition was measured several times. Their grip strength and balance were tested with lab equipment. In the end, all mice were killed.

Publication Link

Testing a new stroke drug for better dexterity

Transgenic mice were anaesthetised, and an artificial stroke was caused. They then received either a test drug or a control solution. After recovery, their food was limited to test their fine motor skills every other week. After two months, they were killed.

Publication Link

Testing migraine drugs

Mice were injected with potential migraine drugs and anaesthetised. Ultrasound imaging of their ears was taken. One ear was rubbed with capsaicin to record the increased blood flow and compare different drugs, doses, and time points.

Publication Link

Killing rats and mice for tissue

Rats and mice were anaesthetised, and their necks were broken. Their tissue was then used for research.

Publication Link

Studying Alzheimer’s and stroke symptoms

One group of transgenic mice were bred and killed at either four or 12 months of age by flushing their hearts. Another group was anaesthetised and caused to have a stroke. They were killed the same way.

Publication Link

Testing Alzheimer’s treatment on mice

Transgenic and “normal” mice were injected with a special protein and a chemical to mark new brain cells that may have been produced.

Publication Link

Testing a new Alzheimer’s drug

Newborn mice were killed to collect brain tissue. Adult mice were used to test drug reactions. They were anaesthetised twice; to inject the drugs and to flush their hearts and take their brains.

Publication Link

Testing if anaesthesia affects the sleep–wake cycle when combined with light treatment

Mice were kept on a 12-hour light/dark cycle and then switched to total darkness. During this time, they were exposed to light once, either with or without anaesthesia. The effect on their activity cycles was monitored. In the end, all were killed.

Publication Link

Studying the effect of certain lipids in formula on brain development

Piglets were kept individually and fed formula with different supplementation. After 18 days, they were killed.

Publication Link

Harvesting bladders to study contraction patterns

The bladders of six pigs were surgically removed under anaesthesia before the pigs were killed.

Publication Link

Testing toxic bait

Pigs were fed toxic bait and monitored until they died.

Publication Link

Testing the effect of a shot to the head

Pigs were anaesthetised and shot in the back of the head from different distances. Effects were recorded and analysed.

Publication Link

Training students in surgical procedures

Pigs and sheep were used for training future surgeons.

Publication Link

Teaching students surgical techniques

Sheep and pigs were used and killed in teaching students.

Publication Link

Testing the viability of xenotransplantation using islet capsules

Newborn piglets were killed for their pancreas. Encapsulated pancreas cells were then implanted into young mice, who were killed later to retrieve the capsules.

Publication Link

Testing measurement of specific proteins

Pigs were surgically fitted with an outside access to their intestine and kept individually for eight weeks. Digestive matter was collected over ten hours on one day, while the pigs had no access to food or water.

Publication Link

Studying the spread of bovine tuberculosis in pigs

Pigs were bought, and wild pigs were captured and distributed through two studies over almost two years. Pigs were killed regularly to dissect them for tuberculosis signs.

Publication Link

Studying wound healing treatments

Pigs were anaesthetised and wounded in 20 places on their backs. The wounds were treated differently and sampled over a month before the pigs were killed.

Publication Link

Developing a model for varicose veins

Blood vessels in pigs' legs were surgically altered, and some pigs were fitted with devices to measure blood pressure. After weeks of regular examinations, all were killed.

Publication Link

Testing how long you have to wait to shoot and eat poisoned wild pigs

Piglets were fed different amounts of rat poison for longer or shorter periods before they were all killed.

Publication Link

Testing how many cancer cells spill out during colon surgery

Pigs were anaesthetised and injected with radioactive cancer cells. Different colon surgeries were performed.

Publication Link

Studying food intake in an autism "model"

Pregnant rats were injected to cause autism-like symptoms in their babies. The male babies were put through behavioural tests with control animals as well as a feeding study. Some were fasted for 16 hours and killed by flushing their hearts.

Publication Link

Testing the safety of a probiotic supplement

Rats were force-fed with a probiotic solution or control solution. After two weeks, they were killed for dissection.

Publication Link

Studying the effects of obesity and mussel powder on bone health

Rats were kept alone and fed different diets containing normal or high amounts of fat or sugar. Some were supplemented with Greenshell mussel powder. X-rays were done, and some rats' ovaries were removed. Ultimately, all were killed by bleeding them out.

Publication Link

Testing if a brain region controls memory

Some rats had their brains surgically heat-damaged. Electrodes were implanted to monitor brain activity and to stimulate the damaged parts with light. Rats then had to re-perform memory tests to see the impact before all were killed.

Publication Link

Studying the communication between inner ear and brain

Rats were anaesthetised, and their inner ear was partly removed, before parts of their brains were stimulated with wire electrodes. Reactions of the rat's eyes and brain were recorded. In the end, all rats were killed.

Publication Link

Testing a connection between tinnitus and brain function

Rats were anaesthetised and one ear was damaged with noise. Rats were taught that silence meant they would get electric shocks and freeze in fear. This was a test for tinnitus.

Publication Link

Testing diabetic rats’ hearts

Genetically diabetic fat rats and their lean littermates were anaesthetised. Ultrasound images were made from their hearts. All were killed and dissected.

Publication Link

Testing the effect of diabetes on pregnancy hormones

Rats were anaesthetised, and their brain was accessed through the mouth to measure reactions to stimulation. In the end, all rats were killed.

Publication Link

Trying to study schizophrenia

Half of a group of pregnant rats were injected to affect their babies' brain development. Some pups were allowed to grow up to test their behaviour.

Publication Link

Releasing a rat family into the wild to see where they go

A wild-caught rat was mated, fed a fluorescent dye, and released again with her pups. Traps, tunnels, and cameras were set up to track and eventually recapture the animals, which did not work 100%.

Publication Link

Comparing digestion of sheep versus cow milk yoghurt

Rats were fed cow milk, sheep milk, cow yoghurt or sheep yoghurt for two weeks. They were gassed with CO2 before their necks were broken.

Publication Link

Testing a rat poison that is unattractive for dogs

Rats were kept in small cages and fasted overnight. Then, they were given two food trays. One of them was scented with lion, tiger, or dog faeces.

Publication Link

Comparing digestion of sheep versus cow milk

Rats were fed a test diet containing beef protein and received cow milk or sheep milk instead of drinking water. After 28 days, all were killed.

Publication Link

Testing medication after heart attack

Rats were anaesthetised, and their hearts were exposed. A heart attack was simulated by blocking an artery. Some had dye injected into their brains, and some were injected with test drugs. All animals were killed.

Publication Link

Testing a medicine against drug addiction

Mice's tails were dunked in hot water. Rats were put through cycles of drug-seeking and withdrawal using self-injection of cocaine. Other rats were injected, and their behaviour was tested (with the notorious Forces Swim Test, among others).

Publication Link

Studying cell death in breast tissue

Mother rats had some of their newborns taken away, and several of her teats were sealed off after two weeks. They were killed after different waiting times to analyse the dying tissue.

Publication Link

Investigating how worms spread between lambs and calves

Lambs and calves were infected with worm eggs to see if parasites from cattle can infect sheep.

Publication Link

Using sheep to try and model how well humans will heal after dental surgery

Sheep had healthy teeth pulled out and the sockets treated in different ways to compare how well the body will heal after a tooth is removed when left untreated vs using a bone graft.

Publication Link

Preclinical testing of a gene therapy for Batten disease

Sheep with and without a specific gene mutation were checked and scanned regularly for nine months. Affected sheep received gene therapy at different ages. Treated sheep were killed.

Publication Link

Testing if blocking a cell signal can prevent foetal brain injury

Pregnant sheep were anaesthetised, and the foetuses fitted with electrodes. The umbilical cord was blocked for most of them, and half were treated with a test drug. Mothers and unborn lambs were killed three weeks later.

Publication Link

Testing the combination of drugs for congestive heart failure treatment

Sheep were anaesthetised and subjected to surgery. Electrodes were used to pace their hearts faster while testing the effect of different drugs.

Publication Link

Testing the best way to deliver gene therapy drugs

Sheep were anaesthetised. Their heads were drilled into, and their brains injected with test drugs. They were killed after three weeks.

Publication Link

Testing the potency of pneumonia vaccines for sheep

Lambs were vaccinated twice and regular blood samples were taken for 34 weeks, to test different pneumonia vaccines for sheep.

Publication Link

Testing the effects and wash-out of painkillers

Lambs were treated with different painkillers or no painkillers at all before tail docking and castration. Their behaviour was monitored.

Publication Link

Developing “hyperimmune” milk

Sheep were injected with Covid-19 vaccines to see if they produced milk that could be marketed to consumers as providing immunity against certain diseases.

Publication Link

Studying the genetics of Batten disease on chimeric lambs

Sheep foetuses were removed. After swapping cells between them, they were inserted into other ewes. Lambs born were subjected to X-rays and, at one to three years old, were bled out for dissection.

Publication Link

Testing pacemaker adjustments

After causing them heart failure, sheep were surgically fitted with pacemakers and measurement devices. Those who survived the procedures were killed after six months.

Publication Link

Studying methane emission and meat quality

Lambs were tested and killed to assess the relationship between methane emissions, carcass weight and meat quality. Almost 2,000 were put through emission measurements. Over 17,000 were slaughtered.

Publication Link

Studying the effect of chemicals in normal and high blood pressure

Sheep were surgically fitted with a clip around an artery and compared with others without clips. Measuring devices were added before injecting different chemicals into the hearts of the conscious sheep.

Publication Link

Comparing success of muscle repair surgery with or without weeks of delay

Sheep were anaesthetised and one side of a pelvis muscle was detached. After several weeks, the muscle was repaired. How well the sheep then walked was noted before all were killed.

Publication Link

Comparing different designs of dental implants

Sheep were anaesthetised. One leg bone was exposed and fitted with several implants. After 12 weeks, all were killed.

Publication Link

Trying to model human brain injuries

To study changes in different areas of the brain after brain injuries. Sheep were used to study the effects of traumatic brain injuries in humans.

Publication Link

Investigating intestine movements

Young pigs and NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised. A part of their intestine was pulled out far enough to record its movements and signalling.

Publication Link

Harvesting rabbit and pig eyes for lab tests

The eyes of slaughtered rabbits and pigs killed for experiments were used to analyse the structure of the cornea.

Publication Link

Causing sinusitis in rabbits as a model

NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, and a sinus tract in their nose was blocked for four weeks to cause sinusitis. After another ten weeks with regular samples, they were killed.

Publication Link

Testing a new vaccine

NZ White rabbits were injected with a new vaccine type several times before being killed.

Publication Link

Harvesting eyes for lab tests

The eyes of pigs and rabbits killed for experiments were used to analyse the structure of the cornea.

Publication Link

Testing the toxicity of some substances

Young NZ White rabbits were force-fed different doses of toxic substances. Blood samples were taken before and immediately after killing them at set time points (or to end their suffering).

Publication Link

Using a new imaging technology

One NZ White rabbit and rats were killed, and their eyes were removed to use for the study.

Publication Link

Measuring contractions in exposed rabbit uteruses

Pregnant rabbits were anaesthetised, and their uterus was exposed. Measurements were taken while contraction-inducing injections were given. Then they were all killed for dissection.

Publication Link

Mapping wave patterns of the small intestine

NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, their intestines were used for electrode mapping, and then they were killed.

Publication Link

Studying presence of a virus in rabbits

Wild rabbits were shot, caught by dogs or trapped to test them for virus strains. The infectious solution was then fed to NZ White rabbits in a lab to kill them later.

Publication Link

Harvesting rabbit colons for lab tests

NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, a part of their intestine was cut out, and then they were killed.

Publication Link

Harvesting rabbit bladders for lab tests

NZ White rabbits were anaesthetised, their bladder was cut out, and then they were killed.

Publication Link

Testing an antimicrobial eye medication

NZ White rabbits were treated with Manuka honey solution in one eye and a control solution in the other eye for five days. Different values like tearing and irritation were measured.

Publication Link

Using muscles of dead rabbits for imaging

Two NZ White rabbits were killed to use for detailed muscle imaging.

Publication Link

Measuring jaw bone growth in young rabbits

Young rabbits were anaesthetised and had holes drilled into their jawbones to implant small pieces of metal. X-ray scans were made, and the rabbits were killed.

Publication Link

Testing the welfare impact of pindone toxin

Three groups of young NZ White Rabbits received pindone-toxin pellets on different schedules. Any rabbit still alive after three weeks was killed.

Publication Link

With your help we can end animal experimentation in Aotearoa.