Punching experiment box body for testing social preference behaviors of mice

Abstract

The utility model relates to a hole punching experiment box body for testing the social preference behavior of a mouse, and provides the hole punching experiment box body for testing the social preference behavior of the mouse, aiming at the problem that the existing device for testing the social preference behavior of the mouse is inaccurate in judgment, the hole punching experiment box body for testing the social preference behavior of the mouse comprises a box main body with a top opening, the box main body is divided into a movable area and an isolation area by the isolation plate, a trigger pricking hole and an observation opening are formed in the isolation plate, a trigger is arranged at the trigger pricking hole and used for sending a touch signal, a movable plate capable of being driven by a motor is arranged at the observation opening, the motor can be started according to the signal sent by the trigger, and a closed area and an interaction area are arranged on the movable plate. The closed area can cover the observation port, when the motor is started to drive the movable plate to move, the closed area at the observation port is switched into the interaction area, the social motivation of the mouse can be digitized, the detection on the social preference behavior driven by the motivation is more scientific, and the social preference back social motivation driving mechanism can be better reflected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of experimental devices, and specifically relates to a perforation test chamber for testing the social preference behavior of mice. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of neural circuit research exploring social behavior, accurately detecting and assessing the social preferences of mice is crucial for understanding their social motivations and behavioral mechanisms. The traditional three-box test provides researchers with a certain degree of representation of social preferences by observing and statistically analyzing the time mice spend in social areas and the time they actively sniff at stimuli. However, this method has certain limitations, especially in assessing the social motivation of mice.

[0003] The three-compartment design allows mice to move freely within three interconnected areas. While this freedom simulates a relatively natural social environment, it also introduces the influence of aimless free movement. Mice may enter the social areas not out of social motivation, but rather driven by random exploration or curiosity. In such cases, the social interaction between the mouse and the stimulating mouse may not be a true social behavior, but rather an accidental, unmotivated encounter.

[0004] To overcome this limitation, researchers need to explore more precise and sensitive methods to assess social preferences in mice, particularly to distinguish between socially motivated social behaviors and aimless social contact.

[0005] Existing patent CN218978924U provides a device specifically for detecting social behavior in mice, belonging to the field of animal behavior experimental technology. The device includes a rectangular box with an open top. Two transparent baffles are fixed inside the box, dividing the interior into three independent spaces. Each baffle has a first mounting groove, with a first door panel slidably connected to it in the vertical direction. Two transparent arc-shaped baffles are fixed at opposite corners inside the box, forming an open cage for placing unfamiliar mice. Multiple through holes are provided on the arc-shaped baffles. A second mounting groove is located near each of the two arc-shaped baffles, allowing unfamiliar mice to enter the open cage. A second door panel is slidably connected to each second mounting groove in the vertical direction. During the experiment, the unfamiliar mouse is gently placed into the cage from the side, in the blind spot of the test mouse, without startling it. However, while this three-box testing method can characterize the social preferences of mice to some extent, it has limitations in assessing social motivation.

[0006] Existing patent CN210352656U provides an experimental apparatus for studying the social behavior of mice. It includes a multi-compartment box and metal cages for securing the mice. The key feature is that each compartment has a long, narrow notch at the lower front, within which a pull-out panel is installed. Different colored pull-out panels are used; when fully inserted into each compartment, the panel and the compartment are joined together. The metal cage is mounted on the pull-out panel. A partition is placed between every two compartments, with a through-hole extending from the pull-out panel to the top. The metal cages in adjacent compartments are positioned diagonally. This design ensures that the pull-out panels have high color contrast based on the mouse's color, guaranteeing the effectiveness of the photographs taken during the experiment. The through-hole ensures the ease of movement for the mice with the implanted structure, allowing observation of the relationship between brain activity and corresponding behavior without constant observation and recording by the experimenter, reducing workload. However, this structure leads to mice visually observing each other before socializing, resulting in limitations in assessing social behavior and social motivation. In conclusion, existing devices cannot guarantee the accuracy of social preferences in mice. Utility Model Content

[0007] To address the problems of existing devices for testing social preference behavior in mice, this invention provides a punching hole test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice. When a mouse triggers a punching hole, it sends a touch signal, which causes a motor to drive a movable plate to move.

[0008] The present invention adopts the following technical solution: a punch test chamber for testing the social preference behavior of mice, comprising a main body with an opening at the top, an isolation plate on the main body dividing the main body into an active area and an isolation area, a trigger punch hole and an observation port on the isolation plate, a trigger at the trigger punch hole for emitting a touch signal, and an active plate at the observation port that can be driven by a motor, the motor being activated according to the signal emitted by the trigger, the active plate having a closed area and an interactive area, wherein the closed area can cover the observation port, and when the motor is activated, it drives the active plate to move, causing the closed area at the observation port to switch to the interactive area.

[0009] When mice are placed in the active area, they can choose to socialize with one of the mice in the two isolated areas based on their own motivation and willingness. When a mouse in the active area shows social willingness, it will touch a trigger hole on one side, thus achieving the purpose of interaction. This method can reduce accidental and purposeless social behavior and lower the judgment of social preference. The most important advantage of this application is that it can quantify the social motivation of mice, making the detection of motivation-driven social preference behavior more scientific and better reflecting the social motivation driving mechanism behind social preferences.

[0010] Furthermore, the movable plate is equipped with a rack, and the output end of the motor is equipped with a gear that meshes with the rack. When the motor is working, it drives the gear to rotate, thereby driving the movable plate to move. The rack design converts the rotation of the motor into translational motion, resulting in a simplified structure and convenient operation.

[0011] Furthermore, the enclosed area and the interactive area are arranged vertically, and the rack is located on one side of the enclosed area or the interactive area. The rack is oriented in the same direction as the enclosed area and the interactive area, allowing the movable plate to move up and down.

[0012] Furthermore, the two partitions and the side wall of the box body together form a movable space for the movable plate. The movable plate is positioned between the two partitions to prevent it from being exposed and causing injury to the mice during movement.

[0013] Furthermore, the isolation area is equipped with interlocking panels, and the area enclosed by these panels forms a restricted zone. The activity range of the stimulated mouse can be flexibly adjusted according to experimental needs. When the stimulated mouse is in a normal emotional state, its activity range can be maximized to avoid emotional stimulation caused by restricted activity. When the stimulated mouse is already in a negative emotional state, its activity range can be reduced to prevent it from hiding in a corner due to negative emotions. This allows for flexible control of the interaction efficiency between mice.

[0014] Furthermore, the height of the assembly panel is lower than the height of the main body of the cage. The purpose of using the assembly panel is to reduce the activity area of ​​the mice and increase the probability of social interaction. The assembly panel is not a necessary feature during use; therefore, it is designed to be detachable to facilitate adjustment of the functional areas of the entire main body of the cage.

[0015] Furthermore, a support box is provided below or to the side of the main body of the box, and the motor is mounted on the side wall of the support box.

[0016] Furthermore, the dimensions of the supporting box are adapted to those of the main box body. Specifically, the length and width of the supporting box body are consistent with the length and width of the main box body.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This application is a punch test box for testing the social preference behavior of mice. It can quantify the social motivation of mice, making the detection of motivation-driven social preference behavior more scientific and better reflecting the social motivation driving mechanism behind social preference. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a top view of the structure of Example 1;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the isolation plate structure in Example 1;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Example 1 when the closed area is covered by the observation port;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the interactive area in Example 1 when it is covered by the observation port;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of Example 1;

[0023] Wherein: 1-Box body; 2-Isolation plate; 21-Trigger puncture hole; 22-Observation port; 3-Movable plate; 31-Closed area; 32-Interactive area; 33-Rack; 4-Assembly plate; 5-Supporting box body; A-Movable area; B-Isolation area; C-Restricted area. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be explained and described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following embodiments are only preferred embodiments of this utility model and not all of them. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in the implementation methods without creative effort are all within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0025] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a punch test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice includes a main body 1 with an open top. The main body 1 has an isolation plate 2 that divides it into an active area A and an isolated area B. The isolation plate 2 has a trigger punch 21 and an observation port 22. A trigger is located at the trigger punch 21 to emit a touch signal. An active plate 3, driven by a motor, is located at the observation port 22. The motor is activated based on the signal emitted by the trigger. The active plate 3 has a closed area 31 and an interactive area 32. The closed area 31 can cover the observation port 22. When the motor is activated, it moves the active plate 3, causing the closed area 31 at the observation port 22 to switch to the interactive area 32. In this embodiment, multiple vertical through holes are used to form the interactive area 32.

[0026] Mice in activity area A interact with mice in isolation area B. When a mouse in activity area A shows social intent, it will touch the trigger hole 21, thus achieving interaction. This method can reduce accidental and aimless social behavior. The most important advantage of this application is that it can quantify the social motivation of mice, making the detection of motivation-driven social preference behavior more scientific and better reflecting the social motivation driving mechanism behind social preferences.

[0027] The movable plate 3 is equipped with a rack 33, and the output end of the motor is equipped with a gear that meshes with the rack 33. When the motor is working, it drives the gear to rotate, thereby driving the movable plate 3 to move. The rack 33 converts the rotation of the motor into translational motion, resulting in a simplified structure and convenient operation.

[0028] The enclosed area 31 and the interactive area 32 are arranged vertically, and the rack 33 is located on one side of the enclosed area 31 or the interactive area 32. In this arrangement, the movable plate 3 moves vertically.

[0029] The two partition plates 2 and the side wall of the box body 1 together form a movable space for the movable plate 3. The movable plate 3 is positioned between the two partition plates 2 to prevent it from being exposed and causing injury to the mice during movement.

[0030] The isolation zone B is equipped with a splicing board 4, and the area enclosed by the splicing board 4 forms a restricted zone C. The activity range of the stimulated mouse can be flexibly adjusted according to experimental needs. When the stimulated mouse is in a normal emotional state, its activity range can be set to the maximum to avoid emotional stimulation caused by activity restriction. When the stimulated mouse is already in a negative emotional state, its activity range can be reduced to prevent it from hiding in a corner due to negative emotions. This allows for flexible control of the interaction efficiency between mice.

[0031] The height of the splicing plate 4 is lower than the height of the main body 1 of the cage. The purpose of using the splicing plate 4 is to reduce the activity area A of the mouse and increase the probability of social interaction. The splicing plate 4 is not a necessary setting when in use. Therefore, it is set to be detachable to facilitate the adjustment of the functional areas of the entire main body 1 of the cage.

[0032] A support box 5 is provided below the main body 1, and the motor is mounted on the side wall of the support box 5.

[0033] The dimensions of the support box are adapted to those of the main body of the box. Specifically, the length and width of the support box are consistent with the length and width of the main body of the box.

[0034] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model includes, but is not limited to, the content described in the accompanying drawings and the specific embodiments above. Any modifications that do not depart from the functional and structural principles of this utility model will be included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A punch-hole test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice, characterized in that, The container includes a box body with a top opening. A partition plate is provided on the box body, dividing it into an active area and an isolated area. The partition plate has a trigger hole and an observation port. A trigger is located at the trigger hole to emit a touch signal. An active plate, driven by a motor, is located at the observation port. The motor is activated based on the signal emitted by the trigger. The active plate has a closed area and an interactive area. The closed area can cover the observation port. When the motor starts, it moves the active plate, causing the closed area at the observation port to switch to the interactive area.

2. The punch-hole test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable plate is equipped with a rack, and the output end of the motor is equipped with a gear. The gear can mesh with the rack. When the motor is working, it drives the gear to rotate, thereby driving the movable plate to move up and down.

3. The punch-hole test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice according to claim 2, characterized in that, The closed area and the interactive area are arranged vertically, and the rack is located on one side of the closed area or the interactive area.

4. The punch-hole test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two isolation panels and the side wall of the main body of the box together form a movable space for the movable panel.

5. The punch-hole test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The isolation zone is equipped with interlocking panels, and the area enclosed by the interlocking panels forms a restricted area.

6. The punch-hole test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice according to claim 5, characterized in that, The height of the assembled panel is lower than the height of the main body of the box.

7. The punch-hole test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice according to claim 1, characterized in that, A support box is also provided below the main body of the box, and the motor is mounted on the side wall of the support box.

8. The punch test chamber for testing social preference behavior in mice according to claim 7, characterized in that, The dimensions of the support box are adapted to those of the main box body.

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