Optimization of overhead enclosure monitoring in juvenile male Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Author:

Helbling Joel E1ORCID,Spittler Alexa P1ORCID,Sadar Miranda J2ORCID,Santangelo Kelly S1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1619, USA

2. Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1678, USA

Abstract

Overhead enclosure monitoring provides objective quantitative mobility measurements for animals undergoing open-field testing. Notably, protocols for testing optimization have been minimally established for the guinea pig. It is unknown whether (a) repeated exposure, (b) time-of-day, or (c) length of testing duration influence outcome parameters. We hypothesized that guinea pigs would display decreased activity following repeated exposure to the open field; heightened activity during the earliest testing period; and that 10 min would be adequate for data collection. The study was conducted in two separate phases to distinguish between enclosure habituation and time-of-day effects, respectively. Two cohorts of male Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were allowed voluntary movement in an open-field enclosure for 14 min to quantify mobility outcomes, including total distance traveled, total time mobile, average speed while mobile, and total time spent in the shelter. For both phases, testing occurred at four different times of day, and overhead monitoring software was programmed to divide the total testing duration into 2-min bins. Habituation phase results showed time mobile and distance traveled were influenced significantly by repeat exposure, as animals were most active during the first testing event. Time-of-day phase animals spent significantly more time mobile during the earliest testing period. Interestingly, significant differences were observed across 2-min bins for the time-of-day phase but not during the habituation phase. Specifically, progressively decreased ambulatory activity was observed as testing duration increased. Thus, habituation and time-of-day should be accounted for when possible. Finally, a trial period greater than 10 min may not yield additional data.

Funder

Colorado State University College Research Council

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3