Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

For optimal rodent breeding, how many hours of light should be provided?

1. 10 to 12

2. 8 to 10

3. 12 to 14

4. 14 to 16

The correct answer is: 12 to 14

Providing 12 to 14 hours of light is optimal for rodent breeding as it mimics the natural photoperiod that these animals would experience in the wild. This duration of light exposure supports reproductive cycles by stimulating hormonal responses necessary for successful breeding. Rodents are seasonal breeders and their reproductive activities are closely linked to changes in light and dark cycles. Maintaining an adequate amount of light encourages estrous cycles in females and promotes mating behaviors in males, resulting in better reproductive success and healthier litters. In contrast, the other options fall outside the ideal range and may disrupt the animals' natural biological rhythms, potentially leading to reduced breeding efficiency and less successful outcomes in managing rodent populations for research or breeding purposes.