Importance of contact bedding

Experimental data generated in animal studies is influenced by two sets of variables; Genetic and Environmental. Unlike the genetic variables, the environmental variables can be controlled externally. One of the important variables in the microenvironment is the contact bedding. More often, the importance of the contact bedding is overlooked by the researchers. Remember, all the corn cob grit available in the market cannot be used as a contact bedding material as they are not manufactured keeping in mind, the critical scientific requirements of different laboratory rodents. The laboratory animals are in continuous association with their contact bedding throughout their lifetime.

Different species and strains with different physiological status require an exclusive type of contact bedding. It is not possible to find ideal contact bedding which meets all the requirements for the physiological well being of animals with different physiological status. Any adverse change in this variable can influence the experimental result to a larger extent. The researchers must exercise utmost caution while choosing an appropriate bedding material. Animal bedding is a controllable environmental variable that can influence experimental data and animal wellbeing. Selection of bedding is the choice of the investigator and depends on the physiological status of the animal and the research objective.