Modular approach

A modular approach
EthoVision XT has a modular approach. This allows you to create a system that is flexible and versatile, and provides a platform to build on for the future. Configurations range from a basic video tracking system to a multi- functional system.

You start with EthoVision XT Base and you can add and combine this with any other module you would like:

 

 

Base
EthoVision XT Base (or the Base version of EthoVision XT) gives you all you need to track and analyze the movement, activity and behavior of 1 animal in 1 arena. It guides you through all phases of your experiment, from setting up your project to detailed analysis of the data acquired. You can perform a wide range of experiments, including commonly used tests like the open field test, or tests with mazes such as a morris water maze or elevated plus maze.

  • Reliably detect and track your animal even when there is low contrast. 
  • Use EthoVision XT in any type of arena, enclosure, or maze.  
  • Data acquisition using live video or from video file. 
  • Save time and reduce human errors by automating your experiments
  • Analyze animal movement, activity and behavior.

 

Tracking multiple body points

Multiple Body Points Module

Add the Multiple Body Point Module if you want to track the nose-point and tail-base, besides the center-point of your rat or mouse. Accurately analyze the position of the rodent’s nose in relation to for instance objects in the novel object recognition test. The proximity of the animal's nose to a certain object, or the direction the animal's head is pointed towards are very informative parameters when studying memory in rats or mice.

You can also use this module to more accurately analyze entrance into arms of the elevated plus maze. Define which body points should have entered the arms before it is counted as an entry. Or analyze feeding and drinking behavior of the animal based on the nose point being located at the position of the feeder or water bottle. Due to the sensitive detection methods built into EthoVision XT, its accuracy outbeats alternative solutions offered.

 

Track in multiple arenas simultaneously

Multiple Arenas Module

The Multiple Arenas Module gives you the opportunity to track animals in up to a hundred arenas simultaneously.
Increase your throughput by analyzing the animals behavior in four, eight or even sixteen open fields at the same time.

With EthoVision XT you can define start and conditions that can be applied to each arena individually. When the condition is true for one of the arenas, tracking starts in that arena only. So there is no need to place your animals in their arenas at the exact same time. A great example for the use of this module is monitoring zebrafish larvae activity in a 96 well plate.

 

Study social interaction

Social Interaction Module

Social interaction tests in rats and mice is a commonly used paradigm in research on anxiety, aggression, schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. With the Social Interaction Module you can track multiple animals per arena simultaneously and calculate a list of social parameters, such as the proximity of one animal to another or the time an animal spent moving away from another animal.

In combination with the Multiple Body Points Module nose-nose interactions and nose-tail interactions of rodents can also be analyzed, allowing you to analyze sexual behavior, for instance.

 

Integrate and control external equipment

Trial & Hardware Control Module

Complete automation of research saves time, effort, and money. It will make things easier, but also enhances reliable and valid results. This is what the Trial & Hardware Control Module can do for your research. It lets you control external equipment from within EthoVision XT and define certain protocols. For example, you can automatically control the Atlantis Platform in a water maze task. Or you can use it for more complex learning tasks in the PhenoTyper, for instance when a mouse climbs on top of its shelter and stays there for 5 seconds, automatically turn on a light and drop a food pellet. This module is ideal in combination with PhenoTyper, but you can attach all standard (TTL-based) hardware.

 

Integrate physiological data

Physiology Integration Module

EthoVision XT’s Physiology Integration Module allows you to add externally acquired physiological data to animal’s tracking data. When working with telemetry or other physiological data acquisition system, this module allows you to synchronize these data streams with EthoVision data. Benefit from the powerful results that can come from combining both sources of information and visualize all data streams within EthoVision XT. A good example of possible application areas are fear tests.

 

Good Laboratory Practice

GLP Module

The GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) Module helps you to reach compliance in meeting 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for Good Laboratory Practice. It guarantees that only authorized persons are able to start the program. You can assign different rights to different users and changes that could influence the experiment are logged, resulting in an audit trail.