Experiment auxiliary device for automatically detecting sweet water preference of small animals

Abstract

The utility model relates to an experiment auxiliary device for automatically detecting sweet water preference of small animals, which comprises an experiment box with a pick-and-place door, a camera, two drinking water bottles used for filling common drinking water and cane sugar water respectively, a trough used for placing food and a controller electrically connected with an external power supply, the camera is in signal connection with the controller, and the controller is in signal connection with the camera. The camera and the feeding trough are arranged in the experiment box, the controller is in signal connection with a timing module, a motor is arranged at the upper end of the experiment box, the motor is electrically connected with an external power source through the controller, and the output end of the motor extends into the experiment box and is fixedly connected with a rotating disc used for installing two drinking water bottles. According to the utility model, the situations of inaccurate experimental results and deviation of the experimental results caused by the habit preference of drinking water of the experimental mouse can be avoided, the accuracy of the experimental results is improved, and the experimental representativeness is strong.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of sugar water preference experiment technology, and in particular to an experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting sugar water preference in small animals. Background Technology

[0002] The Sucrose Preference Test (SPT) is a widely used behavioral test to assess the emotional state of laboratory animals (such as mice and rats). It primarily detects an animal's preference for sugar water, and a decrease in this preference reflects anhedonia, which closely resembles the core symptoms of human depression. Therefore, the presence of anhedonia is considered a key indicator of successful animal modeling of depression. This test is based on an observable phenomenon: healthy animals typically prefer sweet foods and drinks, while depressed or melancholic animals may show a reduced preference for sweet substances.

[0003] In experiments investigating animal preferences for sugar water, animals are housed individually and given two water bottles containing sucrose water and plain drinking water simultaneously. The animals' appetite and preferences are measured by recording the amount and frequency of each bottle's consumption over a period of time. If an animal prefers the sugar water, it will drink more from that bottle; conversely, if it dislikes the sugar water, it will choose plain drinking water more often. This experiment allows us to determine an animal's preference for different liquids and to study the effects of carbohydrates on appetite and metabolism. This experiment can also be used to investigate the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and to evaluate the effectiveness of potential treatments.

[0004] In existing technologies, two water bottles are fixed in two fixed positions in the mouse cage for a long time. This can easily lead to inaccurate experimental results and deviations due to the mice's drinking habits and preferences. Changing the position of the traditional water bottles is very troublesome, as it requires changing the position of the tubing at the same time. If only the water bottles are changed, the residual liquid in the original tubing will affect the experimental data. Utility Model Content

[0005] This invention provides an experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting the sugar water preference of small animals. It can solve the problem in the prior art where two water bottles are fixed in two fixed positions in the mouse cage for a long time, which can easily lead to inaccurate experimental results and deviations due to the drinking habits of experimental mice.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting the sugar water preference of small animals, comprising an experimental box with a loading and unloading door, a camera, two drinking bottles for filling ordinary drinking water and sucrose water respectively, a feeding trough for placing food, and a controller electrically connected to an external power supply. The camera is signal-connected to the controller. The camera and the feeding trough are located inside the experimental box. The controller is signal-connected to a timing module. A motor is located at the top of the experimental box. The motor is electrically connected to an external power supply through the controller. The output end of the motor extends into the interior of the experimental box and is fixedly connected to a turntable for mounting the two drinking bottles.

[0007] Preferably, the experimental chamber is made of transparent acrylic sheet and has ventilation holes.

[0008] Preferably, the lower surface of the turntable is provided with two grooves symmetrically, and each groove has a bolt threaded through its sidewall.

[0009] Preferably, the drinking bottle includes a bottle body, a sealing cap, a drinking tube, and a ball bearing. The lower end of the bottle body is an open end, and the opening end is threadedly connected to the sealing cap. The sealing cap is provided with a drinking tube that communicates with the inside of the bottle body, and the water outlet end of the drinking tube is movably connected to a ball bearing.

[0010] Preferably, a stirring shaft is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the bottle, and a stirring paddle is provided on the stirring shaft.

[0011] Preferably, the upper end of the stirring shaft extends out of the bottle body and is fixedly connected to a connector, and the upper surface of the connector is provided with a regular polygonal groove;

[0012] The inner top wall of the experimental chamber is provided with a sleeve coaxial with the output shaft of the motor. The outer surface of the sleeve is provided with an external gear ring. Two rotating shafts symmetrical about their central axis are rotatably connected to the turntable. The upper ends of the two rotating shafts are respectively provided with gears. The teeth of the two gears mesh with the teeth of the external gear ring. The lower cross-section of the two rotating shafts is a regular polygon adapted to the regular polygonal groove.

[0013] Preferably, the outer surface of the bottle is provided with a clearance groove, and the connector is located inside the clearance groove.

[0014] Compared to existing technologies, this invention utilizes a combination of an experimental chamber, water bottles, a controller, a timing module, a motor, and a turntable. The timing module sets the motor's operating time interval, and when the set time is reached, the controller automatically starts the motor. The motor then uses the turntable to swap the positions of two water bottles, one containing ordinary drinking water and the other containing sucrose water. This avoids inaccurate experimental results or deviations caused by the experimental animals' drinking habits and preferences, thus improving the accuracy and representativeness of the experimental results.

[0015] Compared to existing technologies, this invention features a stirring shaft, stirring paddle, connector, regular polygonal groove, external gear ring, rotating shaft, and gear. The lower end of the rotating shaft is inserted into the regular polygonal groove. Since the external gear ring is fixed, during the process of the motor driving the turntable to switch between two water bottles, the gear revolves around the external gear ring while simultaneously rotating on its own axis. The rotating gear drives the stirring shaft and stirring paddle to rotate through the rotating shaft, thus stirring the sucrose water. This avoids uneven density of the sugar water after prolonged storage and prevents fluctuations in sugar water concentration from affecting the accuracy of experimental results. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a front cross-sectional structural diagram of the utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the water bottle of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a top view of the connector structure of this utility model.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Experiment box; 2. Water bottle; 201. Bottle body; 202. Sealing cap; 203. Water pipe; 204. Ball bearing; 3. Motor; 4. Turntable; 5. Groove; 6. Bolt; 7. Stirring shaft; 8. Stirring paddle; 9. Connector; 10. Regular polygonal groove; 11. Sleeve; 12. External gear ring; 13. Rotating shaft; 14. Gear; 15. Clearance groove. Detailed Implementation

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the technical solution of this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0021] like Figures 1-3 As shown, an experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting the sugar water preference of small animals includes an experimental box 1 with a loading and unloading door, a camera, two drinking bottles 2 for filling ordinary drinking water and sucrose water respectively, a feeding trough for placing food, and a controller electrically connected to an external power supply. The camera is signal-connected to the controller. The camera and the feeding trough are located inside the experimental box 1. The controller is signal-connected to a timing module. A motor 3 is located at the top of the experimental box 1. The motor 3 is electrically connected to an external power supply through the controller. The output end of the motor 3 extends into the interior of the experimental box 1 and is fixedly connected to a turntable 4 for mounting the two drinking bottles 2.

[0022] In practical use, equal amounts of sucrose water and drinking water are added to the two bottles 201 respectively, and the sealing caps 202 are tightened. The two drinking bottles 2 are fixed in the two grooves 5 by two bolts 6 respectively. The experimental animal is placed into the experimental box 1 through the loading and unloading door. The time interval of the motor 3 is set by the timing module. When the set time is reached, the controller automatically starts the motor 3. The motor 3 drives the two drinking bottles 2 containing ordinary drinking water and sucrose water to switch positions through the turntable 4. During this process, the gear 14 revolves around the outer gear ring 12 and rotates on its own axis. The rotating gear 14 drives the stirring shaft 7 and stirring paddle 8 to rotate through the rotating shaft 13, automatically stirring the sucrose water. During the experiment, the camera captures the number of times the experimental animal licks the two drinking tubes 203 and records it in the controller. After the experiment is completed, the remaining weight of sucrose water and drinking water is weighed. By comparing the number of times the experimental animal licks the two drinking tubes 203 and the remaining amount of sucrose water and drinking water, the experimental animal's preference for sugar water is comprehensively judged.

[0023] To facilitate observation and gas exchange, experimental chamber 1 is preferably made of transparent acrylic sheet with ventilation holes. The transparent material facilitates experimental observation by the experimenters, and the ventilation holes facilitate gas exchange between the inside and outside of experimental chamber 1, ensuring the normal survival of experimental animals.

[0024] To facilitate the disassembly and assembly of the water bottle 2, preferably, two grooves 5 are symmetrically arranged on the lower surface of the turntable 4. Each groove 5 has a bolt 6 threaded through its side wall. The water bottle 2 can be disassembled and fixed by adjusting the tightness of the bolt 6, making the operation convenient.

[0025] To prevent dripping from affecting experimental results, the preferred water bottle 2 includes a bottle body 201, a sealing cap 202, a drinking tube 203, and a ball bearing 204. The lower end of the bottle body 201 is an open end, and the sealing cap 202 is threadedly connected to the open end. The sealing cap 202 is provided with a drinking tube 203 that communicates with the inside of the bottle body 201. The water outlet of the drinking tube 203 is movably connected to the ball bearing 204. When the experimental animal does not drink water, the ball bearing 204 seals the drinking tube 203 to prevent sucrose water or ordinary water from dripping and affecting the experimental results.

[0026] To prevent fluctuations in sugar solution concentration from affecting the accuracy of experimental results, preferably, a stirring shaft 7 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the bottle 201, a stirring paddle 8 is mounted on the stirring shaft 7, the upper end of the stirring shaft 7 extends out of the bottle 201 and is fixedly connected to a connector 9, and the upper surface of the connector 9 is provided with a regular polygonal groove 10; a sleeve 11 coaxial with the output shaft of the motor 3 is provided on the inner top wall of the experimental chamber 1, and an external gear ring 12 is provided on the outer surface of the sleeve 11; two rotating shafts 13 symmetrical about their central axis are rotatably connected to the turntable 4, and gears 14 are respectively provided at the upper ends of the two rotating shafts 13, and the teeth of the two gears 14 are... The teeth of the toothed ring 12 mesh with each other. The lower cross-section of the two rotating shafts 13 is a regular polygon that is compatible with the regular polygonal groove 10. First, after the water bottle 2 is installed inside the groove 5, the lower end of the rotating shaft 13 is inserted into the regular polygonal groove 10. Second, since the outer toothed ring 12 is fixed, the motor 3 drives the turntable 4 to rotate and exchange the two water bottles 2. The gear 14 revolves around the outer toothed ring 12 and rotates on its own axis. The rotating gear 14 drives the stirring shaft 7 and the stirring paddle 8 to rotate through the rotating shaft 13, so as to stir the sucrose water and avoid uneven density of the sugar water after long-term storage, so as to prevent the fluctuation of sugar water concentration from affecting the accuracy of the experimental results.

[0027] In order to increase the installation stability of the water bottle 2, preferably, the outer surface of the bottle body 201 is provided with a relief groove 15, and the connector 9 is located inside the relief groove 15. The contact area between the water bottle 2 and the relief groove 15 is increased, and the stability is enhanced.

[0028] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting the sugar water preference of small animals, comprising an experimental box (1) with a loading and unloading door, a camera, two drinking bottles (2) for filling ordinary drinking water and sucrose water respectively, a feeding trough for placing food, and a controller electrically connected to an external power supply, wherein the camera is signal-connected to the controller, and the camera and the feeding trough are disposed inside the experimental box (1), characterized in that: The controller is connected to a timing module. A motor (3) is installed at the top of the experimental box (1). The motor (3) is electrically connected to an external power supply through the controller. The output end of the motor (3) extends into the interior of the experimental box (1) and is fixedly connected to a turntable (4) for installing two water bottles (2).

2. The experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting sugar water preferences in small animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The experimental box (1) is made of transparent acrylic sheet and has ventilation holes.

3. The experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting sugar water preferences in small animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower surface of the turntable (4) is symmetrically provided with two grooves (5), and each groove (5) has a bolt (6) threaded through its sidewall.

4. The experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting sugar water preferences in small animals according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drinking bottle (2) includes a bottle body (201), a sealing cap (202), a drinking tube (203), and a ball bearing (204). The lower end of the bottle body (201) is an open end, and the opening end is threadedly connected to the sealing cap (202). The sealing cap (202) is provided with a drinking tube (203) that communicates with the inside of the bottle body (201), and the water outlet end of the drinking tube (203) is movably connected to the ball bearing (204).

5. The experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting sugar water preferences in small animals according to claim 4, characterized in that: A stirring shaft (7) is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the bottle body (201), and a stirring paddle (8) is provided on the stirring shaft (7).

6. The experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting sugar water preferences in small animals according to claim 5, characterized in that: The upper end of the stirring shaft (7) extends out of the bottle body (201) and is fixedly connected to a connector (9). The upper surface of the connector (9) is provided with a regular polygonal groove (10). The inner top wall of the experimental box (1) is provided with a sleeve (11) coaxial with the output shaft of the motor (3). The outer surface of the sleeve (11) is provided with an external gear ring (12). Two rotating shafts (13) symmetrical about their central axis are rotatably connected on the turntable (4). The upper ends of the two rotating shafts (13) are respectively provided with gears (14). The teeth of the two gears (14) mesh with the teeth of the external gear ring (12). The lower cross section of the two rotating shafts (13) is a regular polygon adapted to the regular polygonal groove (10).

7. The experimental auxiliary device for automatically detecting sugar water preferences in small animals according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer surface of the bottle body (201) is provided with a relief groove (15), and the connector (9) is located inside the relief groove (15).

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