*4.5. Reporting Bias*

Only two studies [26,37] were at high risk of reporting bias. In one of these studies, behavioural observations were stated to be an outcome of interest [26]. However, no results on this outcome have been reported in relation to the bleeding technique. Meanwhile, the reporting in another study [37] was considered to be poor quality, with animal numbers not provided for each treatment group, making assessment of reporting bias di fficult.
