Motory Coordination

HOLE BOARD
Cat. No. 6650

The Hole Board has been conceived to study the behaviour of the mouse confronted with a new environment (head plunging stereotype) according to the method devised by Boissier-Simon. The test enables the initial exploratory activity of the animal and its variations brought about by psychotropic drugs to be unmistakably assessed. The recording takes place automatically, via miniature I.R. emitters/receivers embodied in the "holes" of the board. Print-out via the optional 2600 Multifunction printer.

ACTIVITY CAGE
Cat. No. 7420

The 7420 Activity Cage has been proved of great value to record spontaneous co-ordinate activity in rats and mice (individual or groups) and variation of this activity in time. The I.R. Beam Array Cage 7420 consists of a cubicle of clear Perspex: two facing blocks containing an I.R. array record the horizontal activity. A similar System assesses the vertical activity (rearing). Print-out via the optional 2600 multifunction Printer.

FEEDING AND ACTIVITY ANALYSER
Cat. No. 47452/47453

The Feeding and Activity Analyser has been conceived for studying the feeding behaviour and the spontaneous co-ordinate activity (via the optional activity sensors) of rodents and their alteration brought about by a number of factors, in investigations about:
• the drugs which produce anorexia
• the addiction/aversion to particular substances
• the thirst arousing and quenching mechanism
• the feeding habits and their modification
The 47452 is designed for one rat; the 47453 is dimensioned for the mouse. The cages route their digitized signals through an electronic unit to a PC for acquisition and analysis via the Cage Monitoring Software (CMS).

METABOLIC CAGE
Cat. No. 41700

The well-engineered TECNIPLAST Metabolic Cages supply uncontaminated samples of effectively separate urine and faeces of the rodent. All their components are designed for simplicity of operation and total part interchange ability. Four models are available for either rats or mice. Now this remarkable cages are available complete with arrangements for accurate record of food and water consumption. The cages route their digitized signals through an electronic unit to a PC for acquisition and analysis via the Cage Monitoring Software (CMS). The coordinate ambulatory activity and "rearing" of the rodent on test, can be measured via the optional I.R. Motion detector.

AUTOMATIC REFLEX CONDITIONER
Cat. No. 7530

This fully automated apparatus is designed to study conditioned reflex (avoidance reaction)in rats and mice. Two types of cages are available, 7532 designed for rats and 7533 for mice. Each cage is provided with acoustic and visual stimulators, which supply conditioning stimuli. The "reinforcement" consists of an electrical stimulus applied to the floor bars of the cage by a special "static scrambler" circuit. Trial by trial digital and analogical graphics is provided by micro-controlled circuit. Direct connection to the PC via the 52010 Win-DAS software.

PASSIVE AVOIDANCE APPARATUS
Cat. No. 7550

This friendly to user Passive Avoidance Apparatus which ensures reliability of functions and result reproducibility, exploits the tendency, quite strong in rodents, to escape from an illuminated area into a dark one (step-through method). It helps in several areas of research: Behaviour genetics, psychopharmacology and behavioural toxicology. Two cages are available, one for Rats Cat. 7552 and one for Mice Cat. 7553. A Passive Avoidance Set-up, step-down method, Cat. No. 7570, is also available for mouse. Print-out via the optional 2600 Multifunction Printer.

GRIP STRENGHT METER
Cat. No. 47105/47106

The 47105 Grip Strength Meter measures forelimb grip-strength in rats. the similar 47106 is dimensioned for the mouse. The effects of drugs, toxins, muscle relaxants, disease, ageing or neural damage on muscle strength may be assessed. The animal is placed over a Perspex plate, in front of a grasping bar; rodents instinctively grab anything they can to try to stop this involuntary backward movement, until the pulling force overcomes their grip strength. After the animal loses its grip, the peak preamplifier automatically stores the peak pull force and shows it on a liquid crystal display. The data supplied by the peak amplifier are available in analogue form.

ROTA-ROD TREADMILLS
Cat. No. 47600

The "Rota-Rod" technique has proved to be of great value in research involving screening of drugs which are potentially active on motory coordination. Ugo Basile Rota-Rods are the result of many years of research in co-operation with the latest development in behavioural and pharmacological research. The 47600 new micro-processor controlled Rota- Rod for mice and the 47700 for rats replace both previously available constant speed and accelerating models and features direct PC output.