Assessing Social Dominance in Mouse Models Using the Tube Test

Social dominance is altered in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases and serves as a useful outcome measure in preclinical studies of these disorders. The tube test is a simple behavioral assay for evaluating social dominance that does not require expensive equipment. In this test, two mice enter opposite ends of a clear plastic tube, and after meeting in the middle, one (the less dominant) must back out. The tube test can be used for both male and female mice and includes several adaptable parameters to suit the investigator's needs. Mice may be tested against multiple unique opponents to provide an index of social dominance. Social dominance in the tube test remains stable over repeated testing and correlates with performance in other social assays. Additionally, the test can be conducted between cage mates to assess within-cage social dominance hierarchies. The tube test is particularly useful in preclinical therapeutic studies, as it enables longitudinal testing before and after experimental interventions. Therefore, it serves as a convenient outcome measure for mechanistic studies and preclinical therapeutic screening.