Experimental device for assisting in recording mouse social related USVs

Abstract

The utility model discloses an experimental device for assisting in recording mouse social related USVs, which comprises a transparent box body, a detachable transparent partition plate is arranged in the transparent box body, the transparent partition plate divides the transparent box body into an experimental bin and an observation bin, the interior of the experimental bin is used for placing experimental mice, and the interior of the observation bin is used for placing tool mice. A plurality of vent holes are formed in the bottom of the transparent partition plate, a bin door is arranged on the side wall of the observation bin, and a smell dispersing box is arranged in the observation bin. According to the utility model, USVs signals related to the social interest of mice can be separated, the influence of sexual behaviors or other behaviors on the USVs signals is reduced, an auxiliary behavior experiment device is provided for researching a loop mechanism for regulating and controlling the social interest, the auxiliary behavior experiment device can be used as an evaluation index for the social exploration ability of the mice, and the social exploration ability of the mice is improved. The method has important significance in research on pathogenesis and intervention strategies of diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of mouse experiments, in particular to an experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to mouse social interaction. Background Art

[0002] Speech communication is an important medium of communication for mammals (from rodents to humans), conveying a variety of information such as social status, emotional state, location information, food information, individual preferences, etc. For rodents, ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are an important medium for rodent speech communication. Although USVs are different from human speech in form, they play a similar role and can convey a variety of information in different situations. Studies have shown that the frequency of USVs signals emitted by rodents is concentrated in 50KHz-70KHz. Rodents will emit USVs in situations such as social recognition, mother-infant separation, sexual behavior, and the presence of danger signals. The parameters of USVs such as frequency, waveform, and duration are different in different situations. In addition, USVs signals have become a key indicator for evaluating the social ability of autism model mice with social disorders as the main phenotype. Both pups and adult autism model mice have abnormal USVs.

[0003] Since rodents emit USVs in different situations, in order to specifically study the neural circuit mechanisms that regulate different behaviors, how to induce USVs in specific behavioral patterns becomes the key. Social behavior is an important survival skill and is important for maintaining population development. Therefore, social behavior is highly conserved in evolution, from rodents to non-human primates to humans. Therefore, we hope to separate social information from a variety of possible behaviors, and then collect social-related USVs signals from mice for research.

[0004] At present, no one has designed a special experimental device for the study of mouse USVs. Therefore, it is very necessary to set up a special experimental device to study mouse USVs. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the utility model provides an experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to social interaction in mice.

[0006] The technical solution of the utility model is:

[0007] An experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to mouse social interaction comprises a transparent box, wherein a detachable transparent partition is provided inside the transparent box, wherein the transparent partition separates the transparent box into an experimental chamber and an observation chamber, wherein the experimental chamber is used for placing experimental mice, and the observation chamber is used for placing tool mice, wherein a plurality of ventilation holes are provided at the bottom of the transparent partition, a chamber door is provided on the side wall of the observation chamber, and an odor dissipation box is provided inside the observation chamber.

[0008] Furthermore, a cover plate is provided on the top of the transparent box body, a through hole is provided in the middle of the cover plate, an ultrasonic player is provided on the top of the cover plate, and a microphone port of the ultrasonic player is connected to the through hole.

[0009] Note: Use the cover to prevent the smell from escaping the transparent box.

[0010] Furthermore, three groups of card blocks are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the transparent box.

[0011] Note: After the transparent partition is engaged with the clamping block, the transparent partition is kept fixed.

[0012] Furthermore, the three groups of card blocks are respectively located at 1 / 3, 1 / 2, and 2 / 3 from the front to the back of the bottom of the transparent box.

[0013] Note: By adjusting the position of the card block, the size of the observation chamber and the experimental chamber of the transparent box can be adjusted.

[0014] Furthermore, a rotating plate for controlling the amount of odor dispersion is provided on the top of the odor dispersion box, and the rotating plate is embedded in a slot provided on the side wall of the transparent box body. The middle part of the rotating plate is rotatably connected to the slot via a rotating shaft, and a plurality of air holes are provided on the surface of the rotating plate. The number of the air holes gradually increases from one side of the rotating plate to the other side, and an opening is provided on the side of the rotating plate surface opposite to the air holes.

[0015] Note: By rotating the plate in conjunction with the odor box, the degree of odor dissipation inside the odor box can be controlled, thereby observing the USVs response of mice under different odor conditions.

[0016] Furthermore, the distance between the rotating plate and the slot does not exceed 2 mm.

[0017] Note: By minimizing the distance between the rotating plate and the card slot, the odor can be reduced from escaping to the outside of the transparent box.

[0018] Furthermore, when the opening rotates with the rotating plate to the position of the odor dispersion box, the opening is concentric with the odor dispersion box, and the diameter of the opening is 1 to 1.2 times the diameter of the odor dispersion box.

[0019] Note: The opening arrangement makes it easy to place the odor source inside the odor dispersion box.

[0020] Furthermore, the ventilation holes are arranged in two rows.

[0021] Description: The smell of the tool mice and the odor box in the observation chamber will escape into the experimental chamber through the vents, causing the experimental mice to react.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the utility model are:

[0023] (1) The utility model is an experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to social interaction in mice. It can separate USVs signals related to social interest of mice and reduce the influence of sexual behavior or other behaviors on USVs signals. It provides an auxiliary behavior experimental device for studying the circuit mechanism regulating social interest, and can be used as an evaluation index for the social exploration ability of mice. It is of great significance in the study of the pathogenesis and intervention strategies of diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.

[0024] (2) The utility model provides an experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs of mice. The device can control the degree of escape of the odor source inside the odor dispersion box by means of a rotating plate in conjunction with the odor dispersion box, thereby observing the USVs response of mice under different odor conditions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to social interaction in mice according to the utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to social interaction in mice according to the utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a top view of the internal structure of an experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to social interaction in mice according to the utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 The utility model is a schematic structural diagram of the connection between the slot and the rotating plate of an experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to social interaction of mice.

[0029] Among them, 1-transparent box, 11-experimental chamber, 12-observation chamber, 13-card slot, 14-chamber door, 2-transparent partition, 21-ventilation hole, 3-odor removal box, 4-cover plate, 41-through hole, 5-card block, 6-rotating plate, 61-rotating shaft, 62-ventilation hole, 63-opening, 7-ultrasonic player. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Example 1

[0031] like Figure 1 and 2As shown, an experimental device for assisting in recording USVs related to social interaction of mice comprises a transparent box 1, wherein a detachable transparent partition 2 is arranged inside the transparent box 1, and the transparent partition 2 divides the transparent box 1 into an experimental chamber 11 and an observation chamber 12, wherein the experimental chamber 11 is used to place experimental mice, and the observation chamber 12 is used to place tool mice, and a plurality of ventilation holes 21 are arranged at the bottom of the transparent partition 2, and the ventilation holes 21 are arranged in two rows, a chamber door 14 is arranged on the side wall of the observation chamber 12, and an odor dissipation box 3 is arranged inside the observation chamber 12, a cover plate 4 is arranged on the top of the transparent box 1, a through hole 41 is arranged in the middle of the cover plate 4, and an ultrasonic player 7 is arranged on the top of the cover plate 4, and the microphone port of the ultrasonic player 7 is connected to the through hole 41, and the ultrasonic player 7 is an ultrasonic microphone of the German Avisoft UltraSoundGate for exploring the bioacoustic analysis system 116H, three groups of card blocks 5 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the transparent box 1, and the transparent partition 2 is clamped with the card blocks 5. The three groups of card blocks 5 are respectively located at 1 / 3, 1 / 2, and 2 / 3 of the bottom of the transparent box 1 from the front to the back;

[0032] The door 14 is rotatably connected to the transparent box 1 via a rotating hinge;

[0033] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, a rotating plate 6 for controlling the amount of odor dispersion is provided on the top of the odor dispersion box 3, and the rotating plate 6 is embedded in a card slot 13 provided on the side wall of the transparent box body 1. The middle part of the rotating plate 6 is rotatably connected to the card slot 13 through a rotating shaft 61. A plurality of air holes 62 are provided on the surface of the rotating plate 6. The number of air holes 62 increases gradually from one side of the rotating plate 6 to the other side. An opening 63 is provided on the surface of the rotating plate 6 opposite to the air hole 62. The spacing between the rotating plate 6 and the card slot 13 is 1 mm. When the opening 63 rotates with the rotating plate 6 to the position of the odor dispersion box 3, the opening 63 is concentric with the odor dispersion box 3, and the diameter of the opening 63 is 1 times the diameter of the odor dispersion box 3.

[0034] The staff can manually rotate the rotating plate 6 to adjust the appropriate position so that more or fewer air holes 62 are located above the odor dissipation box 3, thereby increasing or reducing the odor dissipation amount.

[0035] Example 2

[0036] The difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that:

[0037] The distance between the rotating plate 6 and the card slot 13 is 2 mm, and the diameter of the opening 63 is 1.2 times the diameter of the odor dispersing box 3 .

[0038] Experimental example

[0039] Research on USVs signals related to mouse social interaction includes USVs during social interaction with the same sex or the opposite sex. Same-sex social interaction usually uses young mice (3-4 weeks old) of the same sex as tool mice, and records USVs signals generated by the experimental subject during the exploration of the tool mouse. Experimental process: Put the tool mouse into the cage of the experimental subject, observe the behavior of the experimental subject and record USVs signals at the same time. At this time, the experimental subject will smell the face, touch the forelimbs, smell the body, genitals, chase, even bite, and climb on the back of the tool mouse. These behaviors include social interest, aggressive behavior, expulsion behavior, etc., and the information generated by the USVs signals is complex. In the process of opposite-sex social interaction, the experimental subject is a male mouse, and the tool mouse is a female mouse (estrus). The female mouse is placed in the cage of the male mouse, and the behavior of the male mouse is observed and the USVs signals are recorded at the same time. After the female mouse enters, the male mouse will also smell, touch, chase, climb on the back and even mate. Research in the past fifty years has confirmed that the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in the midbrain is an essential brain area for mammals to regulate vocalization. PAG receives regulation from different upstream brain areas to affect USVs. For example, the lateral preoptic area (LPOA) is a key brain area for regulating sexual behavior. The projection from LPOA to PAG affects USVs during opposite-sex social interactions, and regulating LPOA affects the sexual behavior of mice. Therefore, we hope to isolate only USVs signals related to social interest, reduce the impact of sexual behavior or other behaviors on USVs signals, and provide an auxiliary behavioral experimental device for studying the circuit mechanism regulating social interest, so that it can be used as an evaluation indicator of the social exploration ability of mice, which is of great significance in the study of the pathogenesis and intervention strategies of diseases such as autism and schizophrenia.

[0040] We selected a transparent box 1 and a transparent partition 2 made of acrylic material. The bottom edge of the transparent partition 2 is 15.2 cm, the height is 12.5 cm, the top edge is 16.8 cm, the thickness is 0.4 cm, and the diameter of the vent 21 is 0.8 cm, which allows adult mice to smoothly insert their noses for olfactory exploration. The vent 21 is smooth and burr-free, and will not damage the mice or cause a bad experience. And it caters to the instinctive behavior of mice to drill holes. There are 20 vents 21, which is conducive to the full exchange of odors and does not affect the olfactory exploration behavior of mice. The height of the odor box 3 is 1 cm.

[0041] First, place the experimental device in a soundproof box, put the experimental mouse in the experimental chamber 11, and then put the tool mouse in from the chamber door 14 to avoid visual stimulation and influence of the experimenter's arm on the experimental mouse when putting it in from the top of the device, causing the experimental mouse to have a fear reaction. Then record the mouse behavior and USVs signal for subsequent analysis. Alternatively, replace the tool mouse with a sponge or filter paper stained with urine in the odor box 3 or put a toy mouse in the observation chamber 12 to observe the impact of social-related cues on the social interest and USVs signals of the experimental mouse.

[0042] We observed the number of USVs signals (No. of USVs), the main frequency (Frequency), and the duration of a single signal (Call length) emitted by mice within 5 minutes under the conditions of no partition and with partition. After adding transparent partition 2, USVs signals of experimental mice can still be collected. The results suggest that compared with the absence of transparent partition 2 and the free contact between experimental mice and tool mice, the number of USVs of experimental mice decreased and the main frequency of the signal changed after adding the partition. The results suggest that after adding the partition condition, the collected USVs signals are more related to the social interests of mice.

[0043] We compared the time it took for the experimental mice to first touch the transparent partition 2 (social exploration) when the tool mice were placed from the top and from the side of the device. The results suggest that placing the tool mice from the top or from the side has no effect on the time it takes for the tool mice to first touch the transparent partition 2, while placing the tool mice from the side can shorten the time it takes for the experimental mice to first touch the transparent partition 2 and the time it takes for the first USVs signal to be emitted.

[0044] We compared the activity time and number of USVs signals of experimental mice around transparent partition 2 under different conditions: placing a toy mouse on one side of transparent partition 2, placing filter paper stained with mouse urine in the round odor box 3, and placing a live tool mouse. The results suggest that urine, as an odor signal, can increase the social exploration interest of mice, and the social interest of experimental mice is most significant under the condition of the presence of a live tool mouse, suggesting that visual and olfactory signals are necessary conditions for the initiation of social interaction.

Claims

1. An experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs in mice, characterized in that: The invention comprises a transparent box (1), wherein a detachable transparent partition (2) is provided inside the transparent box (1), wherein the transparent partition (2) divides the transparent box (1) into an experimental chamber (11) and an observation chamber (12), wherein the experimental chamber (11) is used to place experimental mice, and the observation chamber (12) is used to place tool mice, wherein a plurality of ventilation holes (21) are provided at the bottom of the transparent partition (2), a chamber door (14) is provided on the side wall of the observation chamber (12), and an odor dissipation box (3) is provided inside the observation chamber (12).

2. An experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs of mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cover plate (4) is provided on the top of the transparent box (1), a through hole (41) is provided in the middle of the cover plate (4), an ultrasonic player (7) is provided on the top of the cover plate (4), and a microphone port of the ultrasonic player (7) is connected to the through hole (41).

3. An experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs of mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: Three groups of clamping blocks (5) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the inner wall of the transparent box body (1), and the transparent partition plate (2) is clamped with the clamping blocks (5).

4. An experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs of mice according to claim 3, characterized in that: The three groups of card blocks (5) are respectively located at 1 / 3, 1 / 2, and 2 / 3 of the bottom of the transparent box (1) from front to back.

5. The experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs of mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rotating plate (6) for controlling the amount of odor dispersion is provided on the top of the odor dispersion box (3); the rotating plate (6) is embedded in a slot (13) provided on the side wall of the transparent box (1); the middle of the rotating plate (6) is rotatably connected to the slot (13) via a rotating shaft (61); a plurality of air holes (62) are provided on the surface of the rotating plate (6); the number of the air holes (62) increases gradually from one side of the rotating plate (6) to the other side; an opening (63) is provided on the surface of the rotating plate (6) on the side opposite to the air holes (62).

6. An experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs of mice according to claim 5, characterized in that: The distance between the rotating plate (6) and the clamping slot (13) does not exceed 2 mm.

7. The experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs of mice according to claim 5, characterized in that: When the opening (63) rotates with the rotating plate (6) to the position where the odor dispersion box (3) is located, the opening (63) is concentric with the odor dispersion box (3), and the diameter of the opening (63) is 1 to 1.2 times the diameter of the odor dispersion box (3).

8. The experimental device for assisting in recording social-related USVs of mice according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ventilation holes (21) are arranged in two rows.

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