Animal drinking water selection experimental device

Abstract

The invention discloses an animal drinking water selection experimental device, comprising an experimental cage, wherein the experimental cage comprises a cage body and a plurality of partition nets, wherein the plurality of partition nets divide the internal space of the cage body into a plurality of experimental spaces, wherein the plurality of experimental spaces are independent of each other, and at least two drinking water bottles are respectively arranged in each experimental space. The animal drinking water selection experimental device of the invention divides the internal space of the cage body into a plurality of mutually independent experimental spaces through a plurality of partition nets, and at least two drinking water bottles are respectively arranged in each experimental space, so that an animal can be placed in each experimental space, and the animal in each experimental space can freely choose between the plurality of drinking water bottles in the experimental space, so that the drinking water preferences of a plurality of animals can be measured at the same time and the intake of each animal can be accurately tracked, and the animal in each experimental space can smell the odor of its neighboring companions to avoid stress response, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of the experiment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of animal behavior experiments, in particular to an animal drinking water selection experimental device. Background Art

[0002] Animal behavior experiments are methods for studying various individual and group behaviors of animals in an experimental environment. Animal behavior refers to any activity of an intact animal body, which is the activity that is expressed by the animal after it receives external information and is regulated by the nervous center or endocrine system. Since animal behavior can be expressed in various ways, in addition to direct observation and description of individuals, animal behavior can also be classified and compared, and can usually be divided into five categories, namely survival behavior, food-seeking behavior, reproduction behavior, reactive behavior, and biological clock behavior. Among them, food-seeking behavior includes drinking behavior. The most commonly used two-bottle drinking water selection experiment is the sugar water preference experiment for rodents. Rodents are naturally interested in sweets or solutions. In this experiment, the reduced preference of animals for sweet solutions represents a lack of pleasure, which is used to characterize animal depression; in addition, the two-bottle drinking water selection experiment can also replace sugar water with alcohol or other drugs, so that the addiction mechanism can be studied and some addictive drugs can be clinically screened.

[0003] The existing technical solution is to put the animal in a rectangular device of the size of a cage, and place two bottles by setting round holes of the same diameter as the drinking bottle on the left and right sides of the rectangular device to ensure that the animal can choose between the two bottles. The defect of this existing solution is that it can only measure the total intake of a single animal or multiple animals at the same time. However, for group animals (such as mice and rats), a single animal will produce a stress response when conducting a double-bottle drinking water selection experiment in isolation, thereby affecting the reliability of the experimental results; and measuring the total water intake of multiple animals at the same time cannot accurately track the intake of each animal, thereby affecting the sample size and data collection of the experimental results. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an animal drinking water selection experimental device, which can simultaneously measure the drinking water preferences of multiple animals and accurately track the intake of each animal, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of the experiment.

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] An animal drinking water selection experimental device comprises an experimental cage, wherein the experimental cage comprises a cage body and a plurality of partition nets, wherein the plurality of partition nets divide the inner space of the cage body into a plurality of experimental spaces, wherein the plurality of experimental spaces are independent of each other, and each of the experimental spaces is respectively provided with at least two drinking water bottles.

[0007] In some embodiments, the top of the cage is provided with an opening, and the animal drinking water selection experimental device further comprises a mesh cover detachably covering the opening.

[0008] In some embodiments, a cylindrical cover body is connected to one side of the mesh cover facing the internal space of the cage body, a plurality of dividing grooves are circumferentially provided on the side wall of the cover body, the dividing nets are inserted into the dividing grooves one by one, and at least two water bottle mounting holes are provided on the cover body corresponding to each of the experimental spaces.

[0009] In some embodiments, the mesh cover is made of stainless steel, and a plastic sleeve is provided around the edge of the mesh cover; and / or the cover body is made of stainless steel.

[0010] In some embodiments, a plurality of mounting plates are connected to one side of the mesh cover facing the inner space of the cage body, and the plurality of mounting plates extend into the plurality of experimental spaces one by one, and each of the mounting plates is provided with at least two water bottle mounting holes.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cage is made of polycarbonate; and / or, the cage is a transparent cage.

[0012] In some embodiments, the separator is made of stainless steel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cage is cylindrical, and a plurality of the partition nets divide the cage into a plurality of the experimental spaces with fan-shaped cross sections.

[0014] In some embodiments, the animal drinking water selection experimental device also includes a grain box, and at least one grain box is provided in each of the experimental spaces.

[0015] In some embodiments, the grain box is hung on the inner wall of the cage; and / or the grain box is made of stainless steel.

[0016] The animal drinking water selection experimental device of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The above-mentioned animal drinking water selection experimental device divides the internal space of the cage into multiple independent experimental spaces through multiple partition nets, and at least two drinking water bottles are respectively provided in each experimental space, so that one animal can be placed in each experimental space, and the animals in each experimental space can freely choose between multiple drinking water bottles in the experimental space. Therefore, the drinking water preferences of multiple animals can be measured at the same time and the intake of each animal can be accurately tracked. In addition, the animals in each experimental space can smell the odor of their neighboring companions to avoid stress reactions, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of the experiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an animal drinking water selection experimental device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of an experimental cage provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a mesh cover and a cover body provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a partial structure of a grain box provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Description of Figure Numbers:

[0023] An experimental cage 10 , a cage body 11 , a partition net 12 , an experimental space 13 , a mesh cover 21 , a cover body 22 , a water bottle mounting hole 23 , and a grain box 30 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the relevant drawings. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are provided in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, an animal drinking water selection experimental device of one embodiment includes an experimental cage 10, which includes a cage body 11 and a plurality of partition nets 12. The plurality of partition nets 12 divide the internal space of the cage body 11 into a plurality of experimental spaces 13. The plurality of experimental spaces 13 are independent of each other, and at least two drinking bottles are respectively arranged in each experimental space 13.

[0026] The above-mentioned animal drinking water selection experimental device divides the internal space of the cage 11 into a plurality of independent experimental spaces 13 through a plurality of partition nets 12, and at least two drinking water bottles are respectively provided in each experimental space 13, so that an animal can be placed in each experimental space 13, and the animals in each experimental space 13 can freely choose between the plurality of drinking water bottles in the experimental space 13, so that the drinking water preferences of a plurality of animals can be measured at the same time and the intake of each animal can be accurately tracked, and the mesh partition net enables the animals in each experimental space 13 to smell the odor of their neighboring companions, thereby avoiding stress reactions in the animals caused by affecting the gregarious habits of gregarious animals such as mice and rats, and effectively improving the accuracy and reliability of the experiment.

[0027] Specifically, Figure 2As shown, the partition net 12 is arranged perpendicular to the bottom surface of the cage 11 to divide the internal space of the cage 11 into a plurality of experimental spaces 13 arranged in a horizontal direction, and the plurality of experimental spaces 13 are independent of each other.

[0028] In some embodiments, the cage 11 is cylindrical. The cylindrical design of the cage 11 can make the side wall of the cage 11 smoother and without edges and corners to avoid damaging the experimental animals and experimental operators. Based on the above structure, multiple partition nets 12 divide the cage 11 into multiple experimental spaces 13 with fan-shaped cross sections. Each experimental space 13 can accommodate an animal, so that the above animal drinking water selection experimental device can raise multiple animals, and the intake of each animal can be measured individually, while not affecting the gregarious habits of gregarious animals.

[0029] Optionally, the experimental cage 10 also includes a circular shaft, the central axis of the circular shaft coincides with the central axis of the cylindrical cage body 11, and a plurality of partition nets 12 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the circular shaft, dividing the cage body 11 into a plurality of concentric experimental spaces 13 with fan-shaped cross-sections, thereby reasonably allocating space and making the size of each experimental space 13 basically the same.

[0030] In some embodiments, the cage 11 is a transparent cage 11 , and the experimental operator can directly observe the animal in the cage 11 through the transparent side wall of the cage 11 , making the experimental operation more convenient.

[0031] Optionally, the cage 11 is made of polycarbonate, that is, the cage 11 is made of polycarbonate. The cage 11 made of polycarbonate has the following advantages: high strength and elastic coefficient, high impact strength, wide operating temperature range, high temperature and high pressure resistance, can be sterilized by high pressure and enter the SPF-level animal room; high transparency and free dyeing; low molding shrinkage and good dimensional stability; tasteless and odorless, harmless to humans and animals, and hygienic and safe. Of course, in other embodiments, the cage 11 can also be made of other materials, which can be selected according to actual needs, and is not limited to the polycarbonate described in this embodiment.

[0032] In some embodiments, the separation net 12 is made of stainless steel, that is, the separation net 12 is made of stainless steel. Stainless steel has the advantages of high temperature resistance, good processing performance, and high toughness, and can be sterilized by high pressure into SPF-level animal rooms. Optionally, the separation net 12 can be made of 304 stainless steel. Of course, in other embodiments, the separation net 12 can also be made of other materials, which can be selected according to actual needs and is not limited to the stainless steel described in this embodiment.

[0033] In some embodiments, the top of the cage 11 is provided with an opening, and the animal drinking water selection experimental device further comprises a detachable mesh cover 21 (such as a mesh cover 21) provided at the opening. Figure 3The opening at the top of the cage 11 is used to conveniently put an animal into the cage 11 or take an animal out of the cage 11; the net cover 21 is detachably arranged at the opening of the cage 11, so as to conveniently open and close the opening at the top of the cage 11; when the net cover 21 is closed, it fits with the cage 11 to form a closed space, which can effectively prevent the animal in the cage 11 from escaping.

[0034] Optionally, the mesh cover 21 may be truncated cone-shaped, and the truncated cone-shaped structure allows the mesh cover 21 to better fit the opening of the cage body 11. Of course, in other embodiments, the mesh cover 21 may also be designed in other shapes as long as it can cover the opening of the cage body 11.

[0035] Furthermore, if Figure 3 As shown, a cylindrical cover 22 is connected to one side of the mesh cover 21 facing the inner space of the cage body 11, and a plurality of dividing grooves are provided on the side wall of the cover body 22 along the circumferential direction. The dividing nets 12 are inserted into the dividing grooves one by one, and at least two drinking bottle installation holes 23 are provided on the cover body 22 corresponding to each experimental space 13. Through the above structure, drinking bottles can be installed in all drinking bottle installation holes 23 on the cover body 22 first, and then placed in the corresponding experimental space 13 through the mesh cover 21 at the same time, thereby improving the experimental efficiency. In this embodiment, there are a total of ten drinking bottle installation holes 23 on the entire cover body 22, and each animal can drink from two drinking bottles to ensure the conduct of the experiment. Of course, in other embodiments, each experimental space 13 can also be provided with more than two drinking bottles, which can be specifically designed according to the experimental requirements.

[0036] In some embodiments, the mesh cover 21 is made of stainless steel, and the edge of the mesh cover 21 is covered with a plastic sleeve, and the cover body 22 is made of stainless steel, that is, the mesh cover 21 and the cover body 22 are made of stainless steel. Stainless steel has the advantages of high temperature resistance, good processing performance, and high toughness, and can be sterilized by high pressure and enter the SPF-level animal room; the plastic sleeve is set on the edge of the mesh cover 21 to make the mesh cover 21 more fit when covering the cage body 11. Optionally, the cover body 22 can be made of 304 stainless steel. Of course, in other embodiments, the mesh cover 21 and the cover body 22 can also be made of other materials, which can be selected according to actual needs, and are not limited to the plastic and stainless steel described in this embodiment.

[0037] It is understandable that in other embodiments, the structure of the cover body 22 can also be replaced by: a plurality of mounting plates are connected to the side of the mesh cover 21 facing the internal space of the cage body 11, and the plurality of mounting plates extend into the plurality of experimental spaces 13 one by one, and each mounting plate is provided with at least two drinking bottle mounting holes 23. With the above structure, drinking bottles can be installed in the drinking bottle mounting holes 23 of all mounting plates first, and then placed in the corresponding experimental spaces 13 at the same time through the mesh cover 21, thereby improving the experimental efficiency.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, the animal drinking water selection experimental device further includes a grain box 30, which is used to hold animal food, and at least one grain box 30 is provided in each experimental space 13. Specifically, the grain box 30 is hung on the inner wall of the cage 11 to ensure that the animal can eat the food.

[0039] In some embodiments, the grain box 30 is made of stainless steel, that is, the grain box 30 is made of stainless steel. Stainless steel has the advantages of high temperature resistance, good processing performance, and high toughness, and can be sterilized by high pressure and enter the SPF animal room. Optionally, the grain box 30 can be made of 304 stainless steel. Of course, in other embodiments, the grain box 30 can also be made of other materials, which can be selected according to actual needs and are not limited to the stainless steel described in this embodiment.

[0040] When using the animal drinking water selection device of the present invention to conduct a drinking water selection experiment on mice and rats, preferably, the cage body 11 is cylindrical and has an inner diameter of 50 cm and an outer diameter of 51 cm, the longitudinal spacing of the partition net 12 is 0.8 cm, and the lateral spacing is 5 cm; the outer diameter of the mesh cover 21 is 51 cm, the cover body 22 is cylindrical and has a diameter of 30 cm, and the diameter of the drinking bottle mounting hole 23 is 1.2 cm; the grain box 30 is prism-shaped and has a height of 3 cm, the top surface length and width of the grain box 30 are 3 cm and 2 cm respectively, and the bottom surface length and width of the grain box 30 are 1.5 cm and 1 cm respectively.

[0041] Of course, the sizes of the components of the animal drinking water selection device of the present invention can be adjusted according to the experimental objectives and are not limited to the above-mentioned size design. By adjusting the size of each component, it can also be used for other experimental objectives.

[0042] In summary, compared with the prior art, the animal drinking water selection device of the present invention can raise multiple animals at the same time and measure the intake of a single animal, thereby ensuring the gregarious habits of gregarious animals, reducing the stress response caused by single animal breeding, and improving the accuracy of experimental results; conducting experiments on multiple animals at the same time can reduce the time cost of experimenters and improve work efficiency; the cage body 11 of the experimental cage 10 adopts a cylindrical design, has no edges and corners, and has higher safety performance.

[0043] It is understandable that the animal drinking water selection device of the present invention can be used not only for conducting drinking water selection experiments, but also for detecting the intake of alcohol or other addictive substances, antidepressant or anti-anxiety substances by animals, and can be applied to research fields such as addiction, depression or anxiety.

[0044] It should be noted that when a part is referred to as being "fixed to" another part, it may be directly on the other part or there may be a central part. When a part is considered to be "connected" to another part, it may be directly connected to the other part or there may be a central part at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in this article are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation method.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0046] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0047] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. An animal drinking water selection experimental device, characterized in that: The experimental cage (10) comprises a cage body (11) and a plurality of partition nets (12), wherein the plurality of partition nets (12) partition the internal space of the cage body (11) into a plurality of experimental spaces (13), the plurality of experimental spaces (13) are independent of each other, and at least two drinking bottles are arranged in each of the experimental spaces (13); The top of the cage (11) is provided with an opening, and the animal drinking water selection experimental device further comprises a mesh cover (21) detachably covering the opening; The side of the net cover (21) facing the inner space of the cage body (11) is connected to a cylindrical cover body (22), a plurality of dividing grooves are provided on the side wall of the cover body (22) along the circumferential direction, the dividing net (12) is inserted into the plurality of dividing grooves one by one, and at least two drinking bottle mounting holes (23) are provided on the cover body (22) corresponding to each of the experimental spaces (13), or a plurality of mounting plates are connected to the side of the net cover (21) facing the inner space of the cage body (11), the plurality of mounting plates extend into the plurality of experimental spaces (13) one by one, and each of the mounting plates is provided with at least two drinking bottle mounting holes (23); The mesh cover (21) is in a truncated cone shape, so that the mesh cover (21) and the opening of the cage body (11) fit better.

2. The animal drinking water selection experimental device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mesh cover (21) is made of stainless steel, and a plastic cover is provided on the edge of the mesh cover (21); and / or the cover body (22) is made of stainless steel.

3. The animal drinking water selection experimental device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cage body (11) is made of polycarbonate; and / or the cage body (11) is a transparent cage body (11); and / or the partition net (12) is made of stainless steel.

4. The animal drinking water selection experimental device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The cage body (11) is cylindrical, and a plurality of partition nets (12) divide the cage body (11) into a plurality of experimental spaces (13) with fan-shaped cross sections.

5. The animal drinking water selection experimental device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The experimental cage (10) further comprises a circular shaft, the central axis of the circular shaft coincides with the central axis of the cylindrical cage body (11), and a plurality of separation nets (12) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the circular shaft.

6. The animal drinking water selection experimental device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The animal drinking water selection experimental device also includes a grain box (30), and at least one grain box (30) is respectively arranged in each of the experimental spaces (13).

7. The animal drinking water selection experimental device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The grain box (30) is hung on the inner wall of the cage body (11); and / or the grain box (30) is made of stainless steel.

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