ABSTRACT
Researchers have dedicated much emphasis, time, and monetary resources to recognizing of and minimizing pain, stress, and distress in research animals. Beside obvious animal welfare concerns and legal obligations, it is well recognized that these factors can negatively impact research results potentially leading to incorrect conclusions. Therefore, stress should be avoided to the greatest extent possible. All levels of personnel who care for animals are responsible for their welfare and should be trained to recognize and deal with stress. Of the three factors (pain, stress, distress), stress may be dif¢cult to assess because it is often subtle, usually short lived due to adaptation or human intervention, and may be associated only with “hidden” internal neuro-endocrine or unrecognized physiological changes. Minipigs are affected by stress hence the need to minimize stressful conditions in the research environment.
