THE UNIVERSITY of Reading has released its figures detailing how many research procedures were carried out on animals last year.
New statistics show 1,823 research procedures were carried out involving animals in 2025.
This represents a reduction of just voer 400 on the previous year, when 2,127 animals procedures took place for research purposes.
Of those 1,823 procedures, mice were the most-used animal in 2025, with 1,539 procedures taking place.
Of those involving mice, 1,002 were considered at a mild severity, 460 were considered ‘moderate’, 47 were considered ‘sub-threshold’, 28 ‘non-recovery’ and two ‘severe’.
A total of 169 procedures involving rats were carried out, most of which took place at a ‘moderate’ severity.
Sixty-four cattle procedures took place with ‘mild’ or ‘moderate’ severity.
19 llama procedures, 20 fish procedures, and 12 pig procedures also took place.
The University of Reading publishes statistics of the number of animals used in research each year, including figures on severity of harm and which types of animals are used.
It also holds lectures exploring its use of animals for these reasons.
Mice are used across a wide range of research areas at Reading.
One recent study used mouse brain tissue to help researchers understand how stem cell-derived treatments might fight one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer, glioblastoma, by targeting the inflammation that helps tumours grow and resist chemotherapy.
Andrew Cripps, technical head of the University of Reading’s Bioresource Unit, said: “Animal research at Reading is carefully regulated and conducted only where necessary, and we are committed to being transparent about it.
“The number of procedures we carried out in 2025 dropped, mainly due to a pause in our procedures involving fish as we took time to refine our zebrafish facility.
“The studies we carry out with animals are helping to address some of the most serious health challenges people face, from chronic pain to cancer, and this work has the potential to transform lives around the world.
“We follow the principles of the 3Rs, working to replace, reduce and refine animal use wherever possible, with the long-term goal of reducing our reliance on animal procedures as new scientific methods become available.”
Full details about how the University of Reading uses animal testing is available via: reading.ac.uk/research
