Abstract
Simple SummaryMany scientists carefully monitor the experimental protocols, mouse strain , use of group-housing, and atmospheric enrichment in a housing-cage, but not commercially available housing-systems. The environmental conditions of mice as well as humans affects their emotional behaviors or physical activities. However, limited information is available regarding the influence of housing systems on experimental data. We used two types of housing system in the same laboratory. The difference in the structure of the two cages (chamber vs. individually ventilated cages: IVC) was whether the mouse could dangle or not. The dangling increases the amounts and quality of physical activities. Using the two-different housing systems, we investigated whether differences in physical, emotional, and cognitive functions can be observed in mice with aging. The IVC group demonstrated significantly less food intake, higher body weight, lower rectal core temperature, less muscle and balancing powers with aging, and fewer anxiety-like behaviors than the chamber group. Based on this experiment, the daily physical activities derived from housing systems significantly affected the results of body weight, body temperature, as well as their behaviors. Scientists should pay attention to the structure of housing systems and experimental parameters, particularly when changing the housing systems.Environmental conditions, including enrichment and stress, affect animal behaviors, but limited information is available regarding the differences in animal functions between the chamber (ventilated system) vs. IVC (individually ventilated cages) housing systems. Therefore, the effects of different housing systems were examined on physical, emotional, and cognitive functions and the intestinal flora with aging. DBA/2CrSlc mice were divided into chamber and IVC groups. Differences in the structure of the two cages considered whether the mouse could dangle or not. Physical, emotional, and cognitive functions were examined using the open field, black and white box, object recognition, horizontal bar, wire hanging, balancing, footprint, and locomotor tests. The IVC group demonstrated significantly less food intake, higher body weight (by approximately 5 g), lower rectal core temperature, less muscle and balancing powers with aging, and fewer anxiety-like behaviors than the chamber group. No differences were observed in the cognitive function and intestinal microbiota between the groups. The housing environment affected the rodent basal temperature and body weight as well as the physical and emotional functions. Scientists should be attentive to the type of cages used in the housing system for an experiment, especially when comparing the results with animals reared in different systems.
Highlights
In mice, several types of housing systems have been used in different laboratories with housing conditions affecting their behaviors
We have focused on the effects of foods on healthy aging, one of the most important societal challenges due to the rapid progression of the aging society
94–96 weeks of in age) (Figure 3A), whereas the body weight in the chamber group was significantly lower than that the96body weight in the groupat was lower than that in in theage)
Summary
Several types of housing systems have been used in different laboratories with housing conditions affecting their behaviors. In the open rack and chamber systems (ventilated type), the mice can see, smell, and hear other mice. As rodents are sensitive to experimental circumstances, there is ample information regarding behavioral differences during long term breeding in Chamber and IVC systems. Among IVC systems, the differences in the housing system affect maternal performance, pup development [14], the reproductive performance of genetically engineered mice [15], and hygiene conditions of mouse colonies [16]. Among the different types of cages, Tsai et al have compared an IVC rack with enrichment to a ventilated cabinet and normal open rack for the breeding performance [17]. Scientists carefully monitor the experimental protocols, the strain of mice, group-housing or individual-housing, and environmental enrichment
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