Source Paper
Association between depression during pregnancy and preterm birth: Results from population cohorts and mouse experimental models
Chen S, Yan G, Xie X, Wang Q, Zhong J et al.
PLoS One • 2026
Forced Swimming Test
behavioralMouseC57BL/6
Objective: To evaluate depressive-like behavior in model animals with good confidence and predictive validity
Protocol Steps
1
Test timing
Perform forced swimming experiment before modeling and on weekends of 2nd, 4th, and 6th days of modeling
View evidence from paper
“forced swimming experiment was performed before the modeling, and one forced swimming experiment was performed on the weekends of the 2nd, 4th, and 6th days”
2
Mouse placement
Place mouse in cylindrical glass filled with water for 6 minutes total
View evidence from paper
“placing the mouse in a cylindrical glass filled with water for 6 min”
3
Acclimatization period
Allow mouse to acclimatize for the first 2 minutes
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“acclimatizing for the first 2 min”
4
Recording period
Record immobility time for the remaining 4 minutes
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“the remaining time for the mouse was recorded for the next 4 min”
5
Immobility assessment
Judge mouse as immobile when it floats upright with head exposed above water surface
View evidence from paper
“the mouse was judged to be immobile when it floated in an upright position with its head exposed to the surface of the water”
6
Water change
Change water after each test
View evidence from paper
“The water was changed after each test”
7
Environmental control
Keep laboratory environment quiet during experiment
View evidence from paper
“the laboratory environment was kept quiet during the experiment”