Source Paper
Age-related changes in behavior in C57BL/6J mice from young adulthood to middle age
Hirotaka Shoji, Keizo Takao, Satoko Hattori, Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
Molecular Brain • 2016
Tail Suspension Test
Objective: Measurement of depression-like behavior through immobility when suspended by the tail
Gather these items before starting the experiment. Check off items as you prepare.
Equipment1
Not specified • Not specified • Not specified • Not specified
Materials4
Software1
Not specified • Not specified
1 item available from ConductScience
Estimated: $3,899.00
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Product links help support this free resource.
Protocol Steps
Animal housing and maintenance
Mice housed in plastic cages with sterilized PaperClean Bedding under 12-hour light/dark cycle with lights on at 7:00 am. Food (CRF-1) and water provided ad libitum.
Note: Housing density varied: 1.3% housed with 1 animal per cage, 2.3% with 2, 6.7% with 3, 80.1% with 4, 8.9% with 5, and 0.7% with 6 animals per cage at beginning of test battery
View evidence from paper
“housed in plastic cages with sterilized PaperClean Bedding (Japan SLC) under a 12-hr light/dark cycle (lights on at 7:00 am) with access to food (CRF-1, Oriental Yeast Co., Ltd.) and water ad libitum”
Behavioral test battery sequence
Mice subjected to behavioral tests in the following order: general health and neurological screening, light/dark transition, open field, elevated plus maze, hot plate, social interaction, rotarod, startle response/prepulse inhibition, Porsolt forced swim, Barnes maze, contextual and cued fear conditioning, and tail suspension tests.
Note: More than 75% of mice subjected to tests in accordance with the order; some strains had tests omitted or reordered
View evidence from paper
“The mice were generally tested in the following order; general health and neurological screening, light/dark transition, open field, elevated plus maze, hot plate, social interaction, rotarod, startle response/prepulse inhibition, Porsolt forced swim, Barnes maze, contextual and cued fear conditioning, and tail suspension tests. The interval between tests was at least 1 day.”
Tail suspension test
Mice subjected to tail suspension test to measure depression-like behavior through immobility
Note: Specific procedural details for the tail suspension test itself are not provided in this methods section
View evidence from paper
“tail suspension tests”
Behavioral testing timing
All behavioral testing performed between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Note: Not specified
View evidence from paper
“Behavioral testing was performed between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.”
Apparatus cleaning
After testing, all apparatus cleaned with super hypochlorous water and 70% ethanol to prevent bias due to olfactory cues
Note: Cleaning performed between tests to prevent olfactory bias
View evidence from paper
“After the tests, all apparatus were cleaned with super hypochlorous water and 70% ethanol to prevent a bias due to olfactory cues.”