Experimental device for testing animal preference

Abstract

The invention relates to an experimental device for testing animal preference, in particular to a device capable of automatically recording the water licking frequency of a mouse in double-bottle selection, so that the water drinking preference of the mouse can be known more accurately. The invention discloses an experimental device for testing animal preference. The experimental device comprises a cage body, two metal bars, two conductive detection boxes and a data storage unit, a metal grating frame is arranged on the lower portion of the cage body, an insulated placing frame is arranged on the top of the cage body, two drinking bottles are arranged on the placing frame, bottle bodies of the drinking bottles are made of insulated materials, and bottle mouths of the drinking bottles are made of metal materials. One ends of the two metal rods are respectively connected with the metal grating frame, the other ends of the two metal rods are respectively connected with the conductive detection boxes, and the two bottle mouths are respectively connected with the conductive detection boxes through wires; and the data storage unit is used for storing the conduction times and duration of the conduction detection box.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a kind of experimental devices of testing animal preference. BACKGROUND

[0002] Sugar water preference experiment, also known as two-bottle choice, is an animal behavioral experiment method for studying drug addiction and depression behavior. Rodents naturally prefer sweet taste, and when mice exhibit depression-like behavior, their sugar water preference also decreases. Loss of pleasure is an important feature of mental illness and behavioral disorders. Two-bottle choice experiment can also replace sugar water with nicotine solution, alcohol or other drugs, so that the mechanism of addiction and clinical screening of some dependent drugs can be studied.

[0003] In experimental research, it is necessary to quantitatively analyze and analyze the licking behavior of mice. The mouse cage and water bottle we usually use have obvious defects, which can easily lead to experimental errors. On the one hand, the conventional mouse cage generally has only one place to place the water bottle, which cannot meet the requirement of placing two water bottles at the same time. In addition, the traditional method needs to take out the water bottle for weighing each time to measure the water consumption, which is easy to leak water when shaken, leading to measurement deviation, and needs to be recorded manually, which is low in efficiency. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides an experimental device for testing animal preference, which can automatically record the number of times of licking water by mice in two-bottle selection, so as to more accurately understand the water preference of mice.

[0005] The technical solution of the present application to solve the above problems is: an experimental device for testing animal preference, characterized in that it comprises:

[0006] a cage, two metal rods, two conductive detection boxes and a data storage unit;

[0007] The lower part of the cage is provided with a metal grid frame, and the top of the cage is provided with an insulating placement rack, two water bottles are arranged on the placement rack, the bottle body of the water bottle is made of insulating material, and the bottle mouth is made of metal material.

[0008] One end of the two metal rods is connected with the metal grid frame respectively, and the other end is connected with one conductive detection box respectively, and the two bottle mouths are connected with the conductive detection box through wires respectively; the data storage unit is used for storing the number of times of conduction of the conductive detection box and the duration time.

[0009] Further, the placement rack is provided with a triangular recess for placing the water bottle, and the water bottle is inclined in the recess, and the metal bottle mouth penetrates through the placement rack and extends into the cage.

[0010] Further, the two water bottles and the placement rack are detachably connected.

[0011] Further, the metal grid frame, the placing frame and the cage are detachably connected.

[0012] Further, the metal grid frame is clamped at the lower part of the cage, and a gap exists between the metal grid frame and the bottom of the cage, the cage is in the shape of an inverted trapezoid, and the metal grid frame is convenient to take out from the cage.

[0013] Further, the metal rod is connected to the end of the metal grid frame, and the end is provided with a hook, so that the metal rod is firmly fixed on the metal grid frame.

[0014] Further, the drinking bottle is made of polycarbonate material.

[0015] Further, the placing frame is made of polycarbonate material.

[0016] Further, the data storage unit is a computer.

[0017] Advantages of the present application:

[0018] The device can automatically record the number of times that the mouse licks the water in the double-bottle selection, so as to more accurately understand the drinking water preference of the mouse. The device can automatically record the number of times that the mouse licks the double bottles, can continuously sample and record for 24 hours without interruption, and has the advantages of low cost and easy operation. The experiment can provide behavioral evidence for studying the neural circuit mechanism of nicotine addiction and be used for evaluating the depression phenotype. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 The device is used for testing the animal preference, and a structural schematic diagram of the device is shown.

[0020] Explanation of reference signs:

[0021] 1, cage; 2, metal rod; 3, conductive detection box; 4, data storage unit; 5, metal grid frame; 6, placing frame; 7, drinking bottle; 8, bottle mouth. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more clear, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below in combination with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present application, but only represents selected embodiments of the present application.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1 The application provides an experimental device for testing animal preferences, comprising a cage 1, two metal rods 2, two conductive detection boxes 3 and a data storage unit 4. The lower part of the cage 1 is provided with a metal grid frame 5, and the top of the cage 1 is provided with an insulating placement frame 6, two water bottles 7 are arranged on the placement frame 6, the bottle body of the water bottles 7 is made of insulating material, and the bottle mouth 8 is made of metal material; one end of the two metal rods 2 is connected with the metal grid frame 5 respectively, and the other end is connected with one conductive detection box 3 respectively, and the two bottle mouths 8 are connected with the conductive detection box 3 through wires respectively; and the data storage unit 4 is used for storing the number of times of conduction and the duration of the conductive detection box 3.

[0024] The conductive detection box 3 is used for detecting the continuity of the circuit, and can record the number of times of conduction and the time, and the number of times of conduction and the time can represent the number of times of licking water and the time of the mouse. The conductive detection box 3 can detect the flow of current and record the number of times of conduction and the time. The number of times of conduction each time is recorded by an internal counter or memory of the conductive detection box 3. The counter will automatically increase each time the circuit is powered on, and the number of times of conduction is saved in the device. The conductive detection box 3 is realized by an internal clock or timer. The device will record the time stamp when the power is turned on, and calculate the duration of the power when the power is turned off, and save these information in the device. The conductive detection box 3 usually has a display screen or a data interface, which can be used to read the recorded number of times of conduction and the time. These data can be obtained by viewing the display screen on the device or connecting the device to a computer, and specific software can also be used to analyze these data to understand the continuity of the circuit and the power on.

[0025] Before the experiment starts, the metal rod 2 is connected with the metal grid frame 5 at the bottom. The other end of the metal wire is connected with the other end of the metal rod 2 at both ends of the conductive detection box 3. The mouse is placed in the specially designed cage 1, and the mouse will contact the metal grid frame 5 at the bottom. When the mouse wants to drink water, the tongue will contact the metal mouth 8 on the water bottle. Since the mouse itself is also a conductor, a complete path is formed. The conductive detection box 3 will count the number of times of conduction and the duration, and store the data in the data storage unit 4. The same operation is performed on the other water bottle to record the number of times of licking water and the duration of licking water of the mouse selecting different solutions. The water drinking preference of the mouse can be understood.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment of the application, the placement frame 6 is provided with a triangular recess for placing the water bottle 7, and the water bottle 7 is inclined in the recess, and the metal bottle mouth 8 penetrates through the placement frame 6 and extends into the cage 1.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the two drinking bottles 7 are detachably connected with the placing rack 6. The metal grid rack 5, the placing rack 6 and the cage 1 are all detachably connected.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the metal grid rack 5 is clamped at the lower part of the cage 1, and there is a gap between the metal grid rack 5 and the bottom of the cage 1, in which a cushion can be placed. The cage 1 is in the shape of an inverted trapezoid, which facilitates the removal of the metal grid rack 5 from the cage 1.

[0029] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the metal rod 2 is connected to one end of the metal grid rack 5, and the tail of the metal rod 2 is provided with a hook, which facilitates the firm fixation of the metal rod 2 to the metal grid rack 5.

[0030] As a preferred embodiment of the present application, the drinking bottles 7 are made of polycarbonate material. The placing rack 6 is made of polycarbonate material. The data storage unit 4 is a computer.

[0031] Specifically, the top of the cage in the shape of an inverted trapezoid has a length of 25 cm and a width of 25 cm. A metal grid rack is placed inside the cage, near the bottom, and has a length of 23 cm and a width of 23 cm. Above the cage, a polycarbonate rack is placed, which is recessed by a part and has a length of 25 cm and a width of 25 cm. The recessed part is in the shape of a triangle and is used to place a drinking bottle for mice. The metal nozzle part of the drinking bottle has a length of 7 cm. Two metal rods have a length of 11 cm and a diameter of 0.1 cm, and the tails of the metal rods are provided with hooks to facilitate the firm fixation of the metal rods to the metal grid rack. Two metal wires are connected to the metal nozzles of the two drinking bottles, respectively. Two conductive detection boxes 3 capable of detecting whether the circuit is conductive and the number of times of conduction are connected to the ends of the metal wires, respectively. A computer is used to display data. During the experiment, the metal rods are connected to the metal grid rack at the bottom, and the other ends of the metal rods are connected to the ends of the metal wires, respectively. The other ends of the metal wires are connected to the metal nozzles of the drinking bottles.

[0032] Training period: Before the experiment, we first put a layer of bedding on the bottom of the cage, and then provide water and mouse food for the mice to adapt to the environment of the experimental cage and to be familiar with the location of licking water. The animals should be single-caged and trained for 48 hours of sucrose water drinking. 1% to 2% sucrose water (which can detect the addiction of the mouse, and can be replaced by nicotine solution) and drinking water should be given throughout the experiment (the positions of the two water bottles are exchanged in the middle). After the training period, the mice are deprived of water (not food) for 9 to 16 hours, and then allowed to freely lick water in the 4-hour two-bottle selection between the experimental and control groups. At the beginning of the experiment, the mouse is placed in a specially designed cage, and the tongue will contact the metal grid at the bottom when the mouse wants to drink water. Since the mouse itself is also a conductor, a complete circuit is formed, and the conductive detection box will count the number of conductive times and the duration of the conductive time, and store the data in the computer. The same operation is performed on the other water bottle, so that there are two unconnected circuits. When the mouse licks one of the two water bottles, the circuit on the water bottle will be connected, and the conductive detection box will record the number of conductive times and the time. By comparing the number of conductive times and the time of the two circuits, the number of licking times and the duration of licking of the mouse selecting different solutions are known to understand the drinking preference of the mouse.

[0033] At the beginning of the experiment, the cage is placed in a well-lit and well-ventilated area as before. After completing each group experiment, the cage is rotated 180 degrees to eliminate the influence of position memory on the mouse's water drinking, and the number of licking times of different solutions is counted.

[0034] In summary, the number of times and the time of the recording circuit being connected are used to represent the number of times and the time of the mouse licking water. When the mouse licks water, the tongue will contact the metal nozzle on the water bottle. Since the mouse itself is also a conductor, it can form a complete circuit with the wire attached to the metal nozzle of the drinking bottle and the metal cage frame, and the conductive detection box will count the number of conductive times and the duration of the conductive time. Through the device and method, the number of licking times of the mouse to the two bottles in the experimental cage can be recorded in real time, and the degree of preference of the mouse to the two solutions can be represented by the number of licking times to avoid errors caused by leakage of the drinking bottle. Moreover, this set of devices has low cost and is not easy to be touched accidentally, and can be easily modified according to the research purpose, has great potential, the number of licking times of the mouse is recorded in the computer in real time, which saves the trouble of manual recording, greatly improves the work efficiency, and has the advantages of multiple channels: the number of experimental cages is not limited, and multiple channels can be tested at the same time. In addition, the daily drinking habits of the mouse are also mastered, which provides convenience for future analysis.

[0035] The above only describes the embodiments of the present application, and does not limit the protection scope of the present application. Any equivalent structure or equivalent flow conversion, or direct or indirect application in other related system fields, is also included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An experimental apparatus for testing animal preferences, characterized by, The utility model relates to a test animal preference experimental device, including: Cage (1), two metal bars (2), two electrically conductive detection boxes (3) and data storage units (4); The lower part of the cage (1) is equipped with a metal grid frame (5), and the top of the cage (1) is equipped with an insulating placing frame (6), two drinking bottles (7) are arranged on the placing frame (6), the body of the drinking bottle (7) is made of insulating material, and the bottle mouth (8) is made of metal material; One end of the two metal bars (2) is connected with the metal grid frame (5) respectively, the other end is connected with one electrically conductive detection box (3) respectively, and the two bottle mouths (8) are connected with the electrically conductive detection box (3) through wires respectively; the data storage unit (4) is used for storing the number of times of electric conduction and the duration of the electrically conductive detection box (3).

2. The test animal preference experimental device according to claim 1, wherein: The placing frame (6) is provided with a triangular recess for placing the drinking bottle (7), and the drinking bottle (7) is inclinedly arranged in the recess, and the metal bottle mouth (8) penetrates through the placing frame (6) and extends into the cage (1).

3. The test animal preference experimental device according to claim 2, wherein: The two drinking bottles (7) are detachably connected with the placing frame (6).

4. The test animal preference experimental device according to claim 3, wherein: The metal grid frame (5), the placing frame (6) and the cage (1) are detachably connected.

5. The test animal preference experimental device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein: The metal grid frame (5) is clamped at the lower part of the cage (1), and a gap exists between the metal grid frame (5) and the bottom of the cage (1), the cage (1) is in an inverted trapezoidal shape, and the metal grid frame (5) is conveniently taken out from the cage (1).

6. The test animal preference experimental device according to claim 5, wherein: The metal bar (2) is provided with a hook at the tail of one end connected with the metal grid frame (5), and the hook facilitates firm fixation of the metal bar (2) on the metal grid frame (5).

7. The test animal preference experimental device according to claim 6, wherein: The drinking bottle (7) is made of polycarbonate material.

8. The test animal preference experimental device according to claim 7, wherein: The placing frame (6) is made of polycarbonate material.

9. The test animal preference experimental device according to claim 8, wherein: The data storage unit (4) is a computer.

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