Developmental Environmental Enrichment Study
Objective: To evaluate the effects of environmental enrichment exposure from prenatal period through postnatal development until weaning on behavioral and neurobiological outcomes in young and aged mice
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment3
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Protocol Steps
Prepare housing conditions for pregnant dams
Pregnant dams designated for EE-YOUNG group were placed in large enriched cages 1 week before delivery together with 2-3 non-pregnant helper females. Control pregnant dams for SC-YOUNG group were left in standard cages with no helper females.
Note: Helper females were only used in EE condition
View evidence from paper
“pregnant dams were put either in EE 1 week before delivery together with 2–3 non-pregnant helper females, or left in SC, in the latter case with no helper females”
Maintain pups in assigned housing conditions
Pups born to dams in EE condition remained in large enriched cages (44 × 62 × 28 cm) with running wheel and enrichment objects. Pups born to dams in SC condition remained in standard cages (26 × 18 × 18 cm).
Note: EE cages housed 6-8 animals; SC cages housed 3 animals
View evidence from paper
“Pups were weaned at postnatal day (P) 25”
Reposition and replace enrichment objects
In EE cages, enrichment objects (tunnels, shelters, stairs) were repositioned twice per week and completely substituted once per week to maintain novelty.
Note: This maintenance schedule applies only to EE condition
View evidence from paper
“differently shaped objects (tunnels, shelters, stairs) that were repositioned twice a week and completely substituted once a week”
Wean pups
Separate pups from dams at postnatal day 25
Note: This marks the end of the developmental enrichment exposure period
View evidence from paper
“Pups were weaned at postnatal day (P) 25”
Age mice to 17 months for aged group experiments
Mice from both EE and SC conditions were aged to 17 months for aged group experiments (EE-OLD and SC-OLD groups)
Note: Aged mice were maintained in their original housing conditions (EE or SC) during this period
View evidence from paper
“Aged mice (age 17 months, EE-OLD group) were placed in EE for one month after electrode implantation”
Place aged SC mice in EE condition
For aged mice originally reared in SC condition, place them in EE cages for one month after electrode implantation before brain sample collection
Note: This step applies only to aged mice; electrode implantation procedure details not provided in this methods section
View evidence from paper
“Aged mice (age 17 months, EE-OLD group) were placed in EE for one month after electrode implantation, then brain samples were collected”