A method for observing cooperative behavior between mice

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of medical research and relates to a method for observing cooperative behavior between mice. The method is characterized in that the method comprises at least an experimental box (1) and a detection control unit (10). The experimental box (1) is divided into a foraging area (2), an activity area (3), and a monitoring area (4). There are at least two active mice in the activity area (3). The foraging area (2) is surrounded by a rotatable fence (5). The rotatable fence (5) has a passage (11) for the mice to forage. The detection control unit (10) controls the rotatable fence (5) to rotate so that the passage (11) faces the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3) or blocks the passage facing the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3). The method provides support for studying the advanced social function (cooperative behavior) of mice.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of medical research and relates to a method for observing cooperative behavior between mice. Background Art

[0002] 1. Cooperative behavior is an important part of social interaction, but the neural mechanism behind it is unclear.

[0003] Social cooperation is a key characteristic of many social species, including humans, and plays a crucial role in population development. Many social animals exhibit cooperative behavior, including social insects like ants and bees, which form large groups to perform laborious tasks such as nesting, foraging, and protecting offspring. Each individual in these groups has a specific role and tasks, and they communicate and coordinate through chemical signals and antennae, enabling efficient collaboration.

[0004] Cooperative behavior also plays a vital role in human society, ranging from simple mutual assistance and collaboration to complex organizational collaboration. For example, people collaborate in various settings, such as families, workplaces, and communities, to accomplish tasks and improve productivity and quality of life. Furthermore, human society encompasses many organizational forms, such as governments, businesses, and schools, all of which require collaboration among their members to maximize their effectiveness. These cooperative behaviors require complex social and cognitive skills, such as empathy, communication, negotiation, and decision-making.

[0005] Different cooperative behaviors have different meanings in nature. For example, the cooperative behavior of social insects can improve the survival and reproduction of the entire colony, thereby increasing their chances of survival. In human society, cooperative behavior can promote social harmony, reduce conflict, and benefit the survival and reproduction of individuals and groups. It can also promote social development and improve human life.

[0006] Therefore, studying social cooperative behavior and the neural mechanisms behind it is of great significance for understanding the social behavior of species, promoting social development, and improving human life.

[0007] 2. In the field of neuroscience research, mice as research tools have unique advantages.

[0008] Using mice as a model animal for neuroscience research offers several advantages. First, they are among the smallest mammals (25-40 g) with a short generation cycle, making them easy to raise, manage, and reproduce. Second, they are evolutionarily close to humans (60-75 million years ago), with similar placental formation and early embryonic development, similar tissue and organ structure, and cellular function. They also possess advanced neural activity and behavioral characteristics, including social behavior, social hierarchy, and mutual assistance, which are highly similar to those of humans. Finally, the mouse genome sequencing project has been completed, and studies have found that 99% of human genes can be detected in mice, with a high degree of gene homology of 78.5%. The gene sequence of 93% of the genome is identical to that of humans, and the technology for genome engineering is mature. These characteristics make mice an ideal model animal for neuroscience research. Therefore, using mice to study social cooperation behavior offers a deeper understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior, revealing the neural network activity underlying cooperative behavior during social interactions, and providing valuable insights and insights into human social behavior. In addition, by studying the social cooperation behavior of mice, we can also discover some new treatments, such as treating social disorders such as autism.

[0009] However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive experimental methods and equipment that can detect cooperative behavior in mice. Therefore, we designed the following experimental methods and equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a method for observing cooperative cooperation between mice, so as to provide support for studying the advanced social functions (cooperative behavior) of mice.

[0011] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for observing cooperative behavior between mice, characterized in that: the method comprises at least an experimental box (1) and a detection control unit (10), the experimental box (1) is divided into a foraging area (2), an activity area (3), and a monitoring area (4), at least two mice are active in the activity area (3), the foraging area (2) is surrounded by a rotatable fence (5), the rotatable fence (5) has a passage (11) for the mice to forage, and the detection control unit (10) controls the rotatable fence (5) to rotate so that the passage (11) faces the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3) or The passage (11) is made to block the passages facing the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3). When two mice enter the monitoring area (4) from the activity area (3) at the same time, the detection control unit (10) controls the rotatable fence (5) to rotate so that the passage (11) faces the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3); when one mouse enters the monitoring area (4) from the activity area (3), the detection control unit (10) controls the rotatable fence (5) to rotate so that the passage (11) faces the passages facing the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3). The experiment is repeated many times to study the social cooperation behavior learned by mice due to foraging drive.

[0012] The detection control unit (10) controls the rotation of the rotatable fence (5) or obtains the position status information of the mouse based on the weight sensor (8) at the bottom of the monitoring area (4), and controls whether the rotatable fence (5) rotates. When the mice do not appear in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence (5) is controlled to rotate so that the channel (11) and the monitoring area (4) are blocked; when there are multiple mice, the rotatable fence (5) is controlled to rotate so that the channel (11) and the monitoring area (4) are connected, and the mice enter the foraging area (2) through the channel (11) to forage.

[0013] The detection control unit (10) controls the rotation of the rotatable fence (5) or obtains the position status information of the mouse based on the camera unit (9) on the top of the monitoring area (4), and controls whether the rotatable fence (5) rotates. When the mouse does not appear in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence (5) is controlled to rotate so that the channel (11) and the monitoring area (4) are blocked; when the mouse appears in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence (5) is controlled to rotate so that the channel (11) and the monitoring area (4) are connected, and the mouse enters the foraging area (2) through the channel (11) to forage.

[0014] The detection control unit (10) includes at least one timer (12). When the mouse enters the monitoring area (4), the timer time is recorded to determine the mouse's foraging pattern.

[0015] The detection control unit (10) controls the rotation of the rotatable fence 5 via the drive motor (6), and the drive motor (6) controls the rotation speed via the reduction motor shaft (7).

[0016] The detection control unit (10) or the timer (12) releases different drinks and foods into the feeding area (2) according to different times.

[0017] The detection control unit (10) or the timer (12) records the time and counts the mice entering the monitoring area (4) according to the time and the time when different drinks and foods are put in, so as to obtain data on the social cooperation behavior patterns of the mice.

[0018] The detection control unit (10) is connected to a storage unit via a network, and records and stores videos of mice entering the monitoring area (4), records and stores the time when the mice entering the monitoring area (4) enter the foraging area (2), and records the time when different drinks and food are placed. By analyzing and processing the information recorded by the storage unit, the behavioral data of the mice are obtained.

[0019] When two mice enter the monitoring area (4) from the activity area (3) at the same time, they are considered simultaneous if the time between their simultaneous and successive entry is 2-10 seconds, and different if the time between their simultaneous and successive entry is greater than 10 seconds.

[0020] The characteristics of the present invention are: the experimental box 1 is divided into a foraging area 2, an activity area 3, and a monitoring area 4, there are at least two active mice in the activity area 3, the foraging area 2 is surrounded by a rotatable fence 5, the rotatable fence 5 has a channel 11 for mice to forage, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3, or blocks the channel facing the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3. When two mice enter the monitoring area 4 from the activity area 3 at the same time, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3; when one mouse enters the monitoring area 4 from the activity area 3, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the channels of the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3, thereby providing support for studying the advanced social functions (cooperative behavior) of mice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 and Figure 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 It is when two moving targets enter the foraging area at the same time;

[0025] Figure 5 There are two moving targets, one enters the foraging area and the other is in the activity room.

[0026] In the figure, 1. Experimental box; 2. Foraging area; 3. Activity area; 4. Monitoring area; 5. Rotatable fence; 6. Motor; 7. Motor shaft; 8. Sensor; 9. Camera unit; 10. Detection control unit; 11. Channel; 12. Timer; 13. Network; 14. Storage unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Example 1: Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 As shown, a method for observing the coordination (cooperative behavior) between mice includes: an experimental box 1 and a detection control unit 10, the experimental box 1 is divided into a foraging area 2, an activity area 3, and a monitoring area 4, there are at least two mice active in the activity area 3, the foraging area 2 is surrounded by a rotatable fence 5, the rotatable fence 5 has a channel 11 for the mice to forage, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3 or blocks the channel facing the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3. When two mice enter the monitoring area 4 from the activity area 3 at the same time, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3; when one mouse enters the monitoring area 4 from the activity area 3, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the channel between the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3. The experiment is repeated multiple times to study the social cooperation behavior learned by mice due to foraging drive.

[0028] The detection control unit 10 controls the rotation of the rotatable fence 5 or obtains whether the mouse appears in the monitoring area at the same time based on the weight sensor 8 at the bottom of the monitoring area 4, and controls whether the rotatable fence 5 rotates. When the mouse does not appear in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence 5 is controlled to rotate to block the channel 11 and the monitoring area 4; when the mouse appears in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence 5 is controlled to rotate to connect the channel 11 and the monitoring area 4, and the mouse enters the foraging area 2 through the channel 11 to forage.

[0029] The detection control unit 10 includes at least one timer 12. When a mouse enters the monitoring area 4, the timer time is recorded to determine the mouse's foraging behavior. The detection control unit 10 controls the rotation of the rotatable fence 5 via a drive motor 6, and the speed of the drive motor 6 is controlled by a reduction motor shaft 7.

[0030] The control unit 10 or the timer 12 is detected and different drinks and foods are put into the feeding area 2 according to different times.

[0031] The detection control unit 10 or the timer 12 is used to count the mice entering the monitoring area 4 according to the time and the time when different drinks and foods are put in, so as to obtain data on the social cooperation behavior patterns of the mice.

[0032] Example 2: Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 As shown, a method for observing cooperation between mice includes: an experimental box 1 and a detection control unit 10, the experimental box 1 is divided into a foraging area 2, an activity area 3, and a monitoring area 4, there are at least two mice active in the activity area 3, the foraging area 2 is surrounded by a rotatable fence 5, the rotatable fence 5 has a channel 11 for mice to forage, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3 or blocks the channel facing the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3. When two mice enter the monitoring area 4 from the activity area 3 at the same time, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3; when one mouse enters the monitoring area 4 from the activity area 3, the detection control unit 10 controls the rotatable fence 5 to rotate so that the channel 11 faces the channel between the monitoring area 4 and the activity area 3. The experiment is repeated many times to study the social cooperation behavior learned by mice due to foraging drive.

[0033] The detection control unit 10 controls the rotation of the rotatable fence 5 or obtains the position status information of the mouse based on the camera unit 9 at the top of the monitoring area 4, and controls whether the rotatable fence 5 rotates. When the mouse does not appear in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence 5 is controlled to rotate to block the channel 11 and the monitoring area 4; when the mouse appears in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence 5 is controlled to rotate to connect the channel 11 and the monitoring area 4, and the mouse enters the foraging area 2 through the channel 11 to forage.

[0034] The detection control unit 10 includes at least one timer 12. When a mouse enters the monitoring area 4, the timer is recorded to determine the mouse's foraging behavior. The detection control unit 10 controls the rotation of the rotatable fence 5 via a drive motor 6, which is controlled by a reduction motor shaft 7.

[0035] The control unit 10 or the timer 12 is detected and different drinks and foods are put into the feeding area 2 according to different times.

[0036] The detection control unit 10 or the timer 12 time is used to count the mice entering the monitoring area 4 according to the time and the time when different drinks and foods are put in, so as to obtain data on the social cooperation behavior patterns of mice.

[0037] The detection control unit 10 is linked to a storage unit 14 via a network 13 to record and store videos of mice entering the monitoring area 4, record and store the time when the mice entering the monitoring area 4 enter the foraging area 2, and record the time when different drinks and foods are placed. By analyzing and processing the information recorded by the storage unit 14, the social cooperation behavior data of the mice are obtained.

[0038] The method provided by the present invention is for studying animals, especially the possibility of experimentally studying the social functions of cooperative behavior in mice. The method analyzes the time two or more mice socialize and the process of mice learning to cooperate due to foraging drive and appearing together in a monitoring area during repeated experiments, thereby studying the cooperative behavior between mice. Further, by changing the food after different channels, distinguishing between neutral food (ordinary feed) and reward food (sweets, etc.), and taking advantage of the mouse's natural preference for sweets, the social competition behavior of mice is further studied.

Claims

1. A method for observing cooperative behavior between mice, characterized in that: include: An experimental box (1) and a detection control unit (10), wherein the experimental box (1) is divided into a foraging area (2), an activity area (3), and a monitoring area (4), wherein at least two mice are active in the activity area (3), and the foraging area (2) is surrounded by a rotatable fence (5), wherein the rotatable fence (5) has a passage (11) for the mice to forage, and the detection control unit (10) controls the rotatable fence (5) to rotate so that the passage (11) faces the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3) or blocks the passage facing the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3). When two mice enter the monitoring area (4) from the activity area (3) at the same time, the detection control unit (10) controls the rotatable fence (5) to rotate so that the passage (11) faces the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3); when a mouse enters the monitoring area (4) from the activity area (3), the detection control unit (10) controls the rotatable fence (5) to rotate so that the passage (11) faces the monitoring area (4) and the activity area (3) to block the passage. The experiment is repeated many times to study the social cooperation behavior of the mice driven by foraging. The detection control unit (10) includes at least one timer (12). When the mouse enters the monitoring area (4), the timer time is recorded to determine the foraging pattern of the mouse. When two mice enter the monitoring area (4) from the activity area (3), if the time difference is 2-10 seconds, they enter at the same time. If the time difference is greater than 10 seconds, they do not enter at the same time.

2. The method for observing cooperative behavior between mice according to claim 1, wherein: The detection control unit (10) controls the rotation of the rotatable fence (5) based on the position status information of the mouse obtained by the weight sensor (8) at the bottom of the monitoring area (4), and controls whether the rotatable fence (5) rotates. When the mice do not appear in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence (5) is controlled to rotate so that the channel (11) and the monitoring area (4) are blocked; when there are multiple mice, the rotatable fence (5) is controlled to rotate so that the channel (11) and the monitoring area (4) are connected, and the mice enter the foraging area (2) through the channel (11) to forage.

3. The method for observing cooperative behavior between mice according to claim 1, wherein: The detection control unit (10) controls the rotation of the rotatable fence (5) based on the position status information of the mouse obtained by the camera unit (9) at the top of the monitoring area (4), and controls whether the rotatable fence (5) rotates. When the mouse does not appear in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence (5) is controlled to rotate so that the channel (11) and the monitoring area (4) are blocked; when the mouse appears in the monitoring area at the same time, the rotatable fence (5) is controlled to rotate so that the channel (11) and the monitoring area (4) are connected, and the mouse enters the foraging area (2) through the channel (11) to forage.

4. The method for observing cooperative behavior between mice according to claim 1, wherein: The detection control unit (10) controls the rotation of the rotatable fence (5) through the drive motor (6), and the drive motor (6) controls the rotation speed through the reduction motor shaft (7).

5. The method for observing cooperative behavior between mice according to claim 1, wherein: The detection control unit (10) obtains the time of the timer (12) and delivers different drinks and food to the foraging area (2) according to different times.

6. The method for observing cooperative behavior between mice according to claim 5, wherein: The detection control unit (10) obtains the time of the timer (12) and counts the mice entering the monitoring area (4) according to the different times of placing drinks and food, so as to obtain data on the social cooperation behavior patterns of the mice.

7. The method for observing cooperative behavior between mice according to claim 1, wherein: The detection control unit (10) is connected to a storage unit via a network, and records and stores videos of mice entering the monitoring area (4), records and stores the time when the mice entering the monitoring area (4) enter the foraging area (2), and records the time when different drinks and food are added. By analyzing and processing the information recorded by the storage unit, the behavioral data of the mice are obtained.

Images