How should you conduct observation of mice? - briefly
Use a standardized cage, low‑intensity red lighting, and continuous video recording to minimize stress and capture unbiased behavior. Analyze recordings with predefined ethograms, applying blind scoring and appropriate statistical tests.
How should you conduct observation of mice? - in detail
Observing laboratory mice requires a standardized protocol to ensure reproducible data and animal welfare.
Preparation of the environment begins with acclimatization. Place subjects in the observation room for at least 30 minutes before data collection. Maintain temperature at 20‑24 °C, humidity at 40‑60 %, and a 12‑hour light/dark cycle. Provide bedding, nesting material, and food/water ad libitum to reduce stress‑induced behavior changes.
Selection of subjects follows specific criteria. Use age‑matched individuals, preferably 8‑12 weeks old, of the same strain and sex unless experimental design dictates otherwise. Record identification numbers, weight, and health status prior to observation.
Equipment setup must guarantee clear visual access. Employ a transparent cage or a clear top with low‑reflection lighting. Position a high‑resolution camera at a fixed angle, ensuring coverage of the entire floor area. Adjust frame rate to 30 fps for general behavior; increase to 60‑120 fps when capturing rapid movements such as grooming or whisker twitching.
Observation parameters fall into three categories: spontaneous activity, social interaction, and response to stimuli.
- Spontaneous activity – quantify locomotion distance, velocity, and rearing events using automated tracking software.
- Social interaction – when multiple mice are present, record approaches, following, aggression, and affiliative behaviors; assign ethograms with precise definitions.
- Stimulus response – introduce a defined cue (e.g., novel object, acoustic tone) and measure latency to approach, duration of investigation, and avoidance behaviors.
Data recording procedures include:
- Start time stamp synchronized with video feed.
- Continuous logging of behavioral events in a spreadsheet with columns for subject ID, behavior type, start time, end time, and observer notes.
- Backup of raw video files on a secure server, retaining metadata for later analysis.
Quality control measures:
- Perform inter‑observer reliability checks on a subset of recordings; aim for Cohen’s κ > 0.8.
- Calibrate tracking software weekly using a reference grid.
- Review environmental logs to confirm stable conditions throughout each session.
Ethical compliance demands adherence to institutional animal care guidelines. Obtain approval from the relevant ethics committee, document all handling procedures, and ensure humane endpoints are defined.
Final analysis should apply appropriate statistical tests (e.g., repeated‑measures ANOVA for within‑subject comparisons) and report effect sizes with confidence intervals.
By following this comprehensive framework, researchers obtain reliable, reproducible observations of murine behavior while upholding the highest standards of scientific rigor and animal welfare.