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Ventilation Design Handbook on Animal Research Facilities Using Static Microisolators 
results suggest the temperature range of 20 to 26 °C to be optimal for laboratory mouse 
rooms. 
C.Yamauchi, S. Fujita, T. Obara, and T. Ueda: Effects of Room Temperature on Reproduction, 
Body and Organ Weights, Food and Water Intake, and Hematology in Rats, 1981, Lab. Anim. 
Sci., 31:251-258. 
Two generations of rats were raised at animal room temperature ranging from 12 to 32 °C 
at steps of 2 °C. The body weight of rats bom in 22 °C environment and exposed to each 
temperature did not significantly differ within the range of 16 to 28 °C. The delivery rate, 
litter size, and weaning rate decreased at 30 °C and 32 °C, and only the weaning rate had 
a tendency to decrease at 12 °C. No significant difference was demonstrated within the 14 
to 28 °C range for any reproduction parameter observed. The body weight of sucklings 
did not differ at birth within the 12 to 32 °C range; and at three weeks of age, there were 
no differences within the range of 18 to 28 °C. The body weight gain in both sexes after 
weaning was generally small when the temperature was below 18 °C or above 30 °C. 
There were no significant differences in food intake within the 20 to 26 °C range, in water 
intake within the 12 to 26 °C range, in hematological and serum biochemical values 
within the 20 to 26 °C range, and in organ weights within the 18 to 28 °C range. 
Therefore, the range of 20 to 26 °C (68 to 78 °F) was the optimum temperature range in 
rat rooms. 
Poole, S., and J. D. Stephenson: Body Temperature Regulation and Thermoneutrality in Rats, 
1977, Q.J. Exp. Physiol. Cogn. Med. Sci., 62:143-149. 
The zone of minimal metabolic rate for wistar rats was between 28 and 32 °C. At this 
range of ambient temperatures the rats exhibited low motor activity. The rats were most 
active at temperatures between 18 and 28 °C. 
1.3.3 Literature Search on Rats and Mice Moisture Production 
Animals produce heat and moisture from their metabolic processes in consistent, predictable 
quantities. Moisture is vaporized from (1) the passive loss of the water by diffusion through the 
skin and through respiration and (2) the active loss of water via sweating, panting, and 
application of saliva, urine, and other forms of moisture to the fur and skin. 
Chongyang Liu: Indirect Calorimetry Study on Laboratory Rat Metabolism at Various Air 
Temperatures and Velocities, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, unpublished thesis 
1995, 1996. 
The study reported evaporative water loss of 4.82 g FLO/kg/hr at 20 °C. 
