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Related Experiment Videos

Burrowing in rodents: a sensitive method for detecting behavioral dysfunction.

Robert M J Deacon1

  • 1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3UD, UK. robert.deacon@psy.ox.ac.uk

Nature Protocols
|April 5, 2007
PubMed
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A new, simple protocol quantifies rodent burrowing behavior using a home cage apparatus. This sensitive and cost-effective test is ideal for assessing genetic modifications and disease models in various rodent species.

Area of Science:

  • Ethology
  • Neuroscience
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Rodent burrowing is a natural behavior, but lacks standardized measurement methods.
  • Previous assessments involved complex setups or outdoor environments.
  • Quantitative analysis of burrowing is crucial for behavioral neuroscience research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce a simple, quantitative protocol for measuring rodent burrowing behavior.
  • To validate the protocol's sensitivity across different conditions and species.
  • To establish a cost-effective and easily implementable assay for laboratory use.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a simple apparatus placed within the rodent home cage.
  • Quantitative measurement of burrowing activity over a defined period (overnight).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Testing sensitivity with prion disease models, genetic variations, brain lesions, and inflammatory agents.

    • Main Results:

    • The protocol successfully quantified burrowing in laboratory rodents.
    • The assay demonstrated sensitivity to prion disease, mouse strain differences, hippocampal/prefrontal cortex lesions, lipopolysaccharide, and IL-1beta.
    • The apparatus accommodated various species including hamsters, gerbils, and Egyptian spiny mice.

    Conclusions:

    • This simple, sensitive, and robust burrowing assay provides a standardized method for behavioral research.
    • It is particularly suitable for assessing genetically modified rodents and disease models.
    • The protocol's ease of use and low cost make it broadly applicable in animal behavior studies.