From: Mirja Peltola <mirja.peltola@oulu.fi>
Sent: keskiviikko 3. toukokuuta 2023 12.54
To: hbsdp@lists.oulu.fi; ltk-all <ltk-all@oulu.fi>; fbmm <fbmm@lists.oulu.fi>; bco@lists.oulu.fi (bco@lists.oulu.fi) <bco@lists.oulu.fi>; 'mrcouluohjaajat@lists.oulu.fi' <mrcouluohjaajat@lists.oulu.fi>
Subject: FW: Fin3R - Refinement webinar 9.5.2023

Dear mouse researchers,

The Finnish 3R Centre will arrange a webinar on the May 9th: What the mouse face tells you - recognising distress during handling and procedures. Please see more detailed information and registration link below.

Best regards,

Sakari

Sakari Laaksonen

Designated veterinarian

Oulu Laboratory Animal Centre (OULAC)

University of Oulu, Finland

Postal address: PO Box 5000, 90014 University of Oulu, Finland

Tel: +358 294 48 5097

Next Fin3R webinar  (share the invitation with your colleagues)

When: May 9, 2023, 02:00 PM Helsinki  

Title: What the mouse face tells you - recognising distress during handling and procedures 

Speakers: Elin Törnqvist (Karolinska Institutet and National Veterinary Institute in Sweden) and Julia Swan (University of Oulu), hosted by Vootele Voikar (University of Helsinki)  

Register in advance for this meeting:  

https://helsinki.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5cpdO2opz4iGtDIpHl48LMshnRDyc_2jMkT

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  

Abstract:  

The refinement aspect of 3Rs aims to alleviate or minimize potential pain, suffering, and distress, as well as enhance animal well-being. Understanding mouse behaviour and signs of distress is pertinent to evaluate efforts aiming at refinement. 

In 2010, the mouse grimace scale was developed to assess pain in laboratory mice [1]. This method allows for the identification of the degree of pain experienced by mice, shown in their facial expressions. Is it possible for signs of distress to also be found in their facial expressions? 

We conducted a study to explore this question and will present our findings in this webinar. In addition, we will provide some practical tips on how to assess distress using facial expressions as well as how to train and handle your mice. 

Reference Article: Swan J, Boyer S, Westlund K, Bengtsson C, Nordahl G, Törnqvist E. Decreased levels of discomfort in repeatedly handled mice during experimental procedures, assessed by facial expressions. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 2023 Feb 2;17:15. DOI
10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1109886

[1] Langford, D. J., Bailey, A. L., Chanda, M. L., Clarke, S. E., Drummond, T. E., Echols, S., et al. (2010). Coding of facial expressions of pain in the laboratory mouse. Nat. Methods 7, 447–449