The new experimental model for behavioral investigations in animal studies

In this paper a video file based approach to evaluate position and locomotion in animal behavior experiments is described. For this purpose original software Animal Tracker for transforming a video data to a log file which is suitable for further computational analyzes, was developed. To perform analyzes from the log file, an additional software PostProc), which enables assessment of locomotion, velocity or place preferences, was created. For video recording software called DScaler was used. This is an open source software and freely available for download. The method that we describe in this paper is based on simple video equipment and supported by three software mentioned above. This method enables performing of a wide diversity of experimental designs without limitations in time duration, color and light conditions, shape and size of experimental area and/or investigated objects. As an example, results obtained from experiments with rats in an Open-field test are included. One group of animals was treated with benzodiazepine (2 mg.kg(-1), single dose, subcutaneously). This easy to use system can be implemented in most laboratories without any special training and used by investigators in the field of animal behavior research.