Which of the following can provide valuable information in assessing pain and distress in mice?

• A. Behavioral indicators
• B. Physiological measures
• C. Expert opinion only
• D. All of the Above

Answer: (D)

Assessing pain and distress in mice relies on multiple, complementary data sources. Behavioral indicators reveal how pain changes activity, posture, grooming, nesting, and social interactions, and they can include facial expressions captured by tools like the Mouse Grimace Scale. Physiological measures provide objective signs of distress, such as elevated corticosterone levels, changes in heart rate or respiration, and temperature shifts. Expert opinion brings trained judgment to interpret what is observed and measured, considering the specific procedure, the individual animal’s history, and appropriate humane endpoints.

Relying on a single type of information can miss important signs or be misleading—pain may be hidden, physiological changes can arise from factors other than pain, and observations can be biased without experience. Combining behavioral cues, physiological data, and expert interpretation gives a fuller, more accurate picture of the animal’s welfare, making use of all these sources the best approach.