Meet Elle. She is a Crossbred sheep who is pregnant with twins. Elle is part of a maternal nutrition study focused on maintaining fetal growth in women that experience maternal constraint, a poorly understood disorder that limits fetal growth during pregnancy. The goal of the study is to determine the…
View and ShareThese lambs are part of a maternal nutrition study. Whenever possible, lambs involved in research studies are raised with their mothers where they undergo normal social and emotional development. If a study requires hand-rearing, it must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), a body responsible…
View and ShareErnest is a ram and father to lambs needed for a maternal nutrition study. He lives in the same flock room as the ewes caring for their lambs so he can see, hear, and smell the other sheep. Since he has to be separate from the female sheep, his caregiver provides…
View and ShareSheep thrive in social groups of at least five members. Research facilities strive to design housing that best meets the needs of their animals. This flock room is lined with hay that is changed every other day allowing the sheep to graze as they would naturally on a pasture. Their…
View and SharePigs are smart, social animals that like to nibble and root. Balls and puzzle toys are provided to engage them in rooting and problem solving opportunities. These caregivers know each of their pigs by name and look forward to spending time with them every day.
View and ShareSheep have a similar physiology to humans, can get many of the same diseases, have a short gestation period, and their young are born at a similar weight to human babies. These characteristics are valuable in research studies related to respiratory diseases and fetal development. Sheep have contributed to many medical…
Visit Species PageBecause guinea pigs are similar to humans in the symptoms and immune response they have to bacterial infections, they have been studied for more than 200 years. They have contributed to advances in treating diseases that affect the lungs, ears, eyes, arteries, stomach, intestines, and those that are sexually transmitted.…
Visit Species PageAll nonhuman primates in research are provided access to enhanced care, including social, behavioral and nutritional enrichment. They often receive fruit and vegetables in addition to their traditional chow diet, and many times, the animals will receive treats like marshmallows. Proper enrichment is critical to ensuring the animals are well…
View and ShareCredit: Photo by Clem Spalding, Courtesy of Texas Biomedical Research Institute
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