Abstract

HINCAPIE, Juliana Alejandra; CORREAL, María Lucía  and  GONGORA, Manuel Eduardo. Barbering: a frequent problem in laboratory mice. Ces. Med. Vet. Zootec. [online]. 2022, vol.17, n.2, pp.64-79.  Epub Nov 15, 2022. ISSN 1900-9607.  https://doi.org/10.21615/cesmvz.6776.

Barbering is a behavior that consists of pulling, cutting, or even ingesting hair. This behavior has been reported in humans or other animals; nevertheless, its presentation in laboratory mice is common in some mice strains, affects these animals' welfare, and results of research studies being a problem in mice facilities. After reviewing the available literature on this condition, multiple causes are identified, including deficiencies in environmental enrichment, management alterations, stress, learned behaviors, anxiety, and dominance, as well as genetic causes, making some strains, lineages, and genetically modified models more susceptible to barbering and helping to facilitate the understanding of metabolic pathways involved in this condition. The multiple etiology of barbering makes it possible to approach management options oriented towards environmental intervention and some pharmacological strategies that could be useful to reduce its incidence and associated reproductive health and performance problems.

Keywords : alopecia; animal facility; behavior; enrichment; trichotillomania..

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