Wageningen, 30 May 2006 – In October 2004, Noldus Information Technology introduced PhenoTyper: a video-based observation system in which rodent behavior can be automatically monitored. Though initially designed to monitor a single mouse’s behavior, developments resulted in additional versions that are suitable for testing multiple mice, as well as single or multiple rats. PhenoTyper is available in different configurations: a basic cage mainly used for short-term observations and a home cage for long -term continuous observations. Recently, a second scientific article on the PhenoTyper home cage has been published:

Visser, de, L.; Bos, van den, R.; Kuurman, W.; Kas, M.; Spruijt, B. (2006). Novel approach to the behavioural characteristics of inbred mice: automated home cage observations. Genes, Brain and Behavior, 5, 458-466.  

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the potential of home cage testing with PhenoTyper for behavioral phenotyping of mice. Four inbred mouse strains with known differences in locomotor activity were tested in the open field, the elevated plus maze, and a home cage test using the PhenoTyper. During home cage testing, eight PhenoTyper units were connected to two PC’s running the EthoVision software and monitoring took place for six consecutive days. EthoVision automatically recorded locomotor activity in both the open field test and the test with the PhenoTyper home cage, while behavior in the elevated plus maze was scored by using The Observer. Results of all three tests were compared to each other in order to find significant correlations between the same parameters measured in the different test methods.

Statistical analysis showed, among others, a significant correlation between velocity measured in the initial phase of the test with the PhenoTyper home cage and velocity in the open field test. Furthermore, a significant correlation was found between velocity and number of stops measured in the initial phase of the test with the PhenoTyper home cage and anxiety-related behavior (number of head dips, time spent on the open and closed arms) in the elevated plus maze test. This proves that results concerning these parameters obtained in the initial phase of the test with the PhenoTyper home cage are compatible with results obtained in an open field and elevated plus maze.

The test with the PhenoTyper home cage was able to demonstrate the known differences in locomotor activity between the four inbred mouse strains used in this study. Differences in circadian activity between the strains were largely in line with what has previously been reported in literature. These results demonstrate the strength of PhenoTyper home cage observations as a tool for the characterizations of mice. At the same time, this method avoids the influences of human interventions and saves time-consuming human observations.

To obtain a copy of this article, please visit Synergy Blackwell Journals or contact the corresponding author of the article, Leonie de Visser.

To find out more about the first scientific publication on PhenoTyper, please read the press release of 18 February 2005.

For more information on PhenoTyper, please visit the PhenoTyper section of this web site or fill out an information request form.