Evaluation of a user‐friendly CSDS cage apparatus for studying depressive‐like behaviors in rodents

Abstract Background Previously, a chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model has been widely‐adopted for assessing depressive‐like behaviors in animals. However, there is still room for improvement in the CSDS model to safeguard study accuracy and the welfare of lab rodents. Our study team developed...

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Main Authors: Hao Zhang, Dongmei Gao, Minghu Hu, Wanqing Zhou, Muxuan Han, Ya Sun, Yang Zhang, Jieqiong Wang, Mingzhou Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Animal Models and Experimental Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12510
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author Hao Zhang
Dongmei Gao
Minghu Hu
Wanqing Zhou
Muxuan Han
Ya Sun
Yang Zhang
Jieqiong Wang
Mingzhou Gao
author_facet Hao Zhang
Dongmei Gao
Minghu Hu
Wanqing Zhou
Muxuan Han
Ya Sun
Yang Zhang
Jieqiong Wang
Mingzhou Gao
author_sort Hao Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Previously, a chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model has been widely‐adopted for assessing depressive‐like behaviors in animals. However, there is still room for improvement in the CSDS model to safeguard study accuracy and the welfare of lab rodents. Our study team developed a novel, standardized apparatus to induce CSDS in rodents and assessed the model's practical adaptability. Methods An innovative CSDS cage apparatus and water bottle was designed. To evaluate the effectiveness of the newly developed tools, a variety of animal models, including the tail suspension test (TST), sucrose preference test, forced swimming test (FST), novelty‐suppressed feeding test, female urine sniffing test, and open field test (OFT), were adopted to assess depressive‐like behaviors in mice. Fluoxetine treatment was also administered to observe the reversal effect, as part of the validation. Results The CSDS cage apparatus resulted in the manifestation of depressive‐like behaviors in the model mice. Significant reductions in sucrose preference and urine sniffing time were observed, while the OFT revealed decreased central zone total distance, residence time, and frequency of entry. Moreover, increased immobility was found in the FST and TST. Fluoxetine treatment was found to successfully reverse the modeling effect. Conclusion The CSDS cage apparatus was validated for enhanced usability and addressed the previous challenges of water bottle leakage and lab rodent welfare issues. The consistent results from multiple behavioral tests also supported real‐world application of the apparatus, offering researchers a promising alternative to conventional rodent cages.
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spelling doaj-art-1a070b67b0114eeeb6bc0e6ffa6b1c282025-02-06T03:52:56ZengWileyAnimal Models and Experimental Medicine2576-20952025-01-018117918610.1002/ame2.12510Evaluation of a user‐friendly CSDS cage apparatus for studying depressive‐like behaviors in rodentsHao Zhang0Dongmei Gao1Minghu Hu2Wanqing Zhou3Muxuan Han4Ya Sun5Yang Zhang6Jieqiong Wang7Mingzhou Gao8High‐Level Key Disciplines of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan ChinaHigh‐Level Key Disciplines of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan ChinaExperimental Center Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan Shandong ChinaExperimental Center Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan Shandong ChinaExperimental Center Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan Shandong ChinaInnovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan Shandong ChinaInnovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan Shandong ChinaSocial Cooperation and Achievement Transformation Department Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan Shandong ChinaHigh‐Level Key Disciplines of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Jinan ChinaAbstract Background Previously, a chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model has been widely‐adopted for assessing depressive‐like behaviors in animals. However, there is still room for improvement in the CSDS model to safeguard study accuracy and the welfare of lab rodents. Our study team developed a novel, standardized apparatus to induce CSDS in rodents and assessed the model's practical adaptability. Methods An innovative CSDS cage apparatus and water bottle was designed. To evaluate the effectiveness of the newly developed tools, a variety of animal models, including the tail suspension test (TST), sucrose preference test, forced swimming test (FST), novelty‐suppressed feeding test, female urine sniffing test, and open field test (OFT), were adopted to assess depressive‐like behaviors in mice. Fluoxetine treatment was also administered to observe the reversal effect, as part of the validation. Results The CSDS cage apparatus resulted in the manifestation of depressive‐like behaviors in the model mice. Significant reductions in sucrose preference and urine sniffing time were observed, while the OFT revealed decreased central zone total distance, residence time, and frequency of entry. Moreover, increased immobility was found in the FST and TST. Fluoxetine treatment was found to successfully reverse the modeling effect. Conclusion The CSDS cage apparatus was validated for enhanced usability and addressed the previous challenges of water bottle leakage and lab rodent welfare issues. The consistent results from multiple behavioral tests also supported real‐world application of the apparatus, offering researchers a promising alternative to conventional rodent cages.https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12510CSDSdepressionexperimental cageleak‐proof water bottlemethodology
spellingShingle Hao Zhang
Dongmei Gao
Minghu Hu
Wanqing Zhou
Muxuan Han
Ya Sun
Yang Zhang
Jieqiong Wang
Mingzhou Gao
Evaluation of a user‐friendly CSDS cage apparatus for studying depressive‐like behaviors in rodents
Animal Models and Experimental Medicine
CSDS
depression
experimental cage
leak‐proof water bottle
methodology
title Evaluation of a user‐friendly CSDS cage apparatus for studying depressive‐like behaviors in rodents
title_full Evaluation of a user‐friendly CSDS cage apparatus for studying depressive‐like behaviors in rodents
title_fullStr Evaluation of a user‐friendly CSDS cage apparatus for studying depressive‐like behaviors in rodents
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of a user‐friendly CSDS cage apparatus for studying depressive‐like behaviors in rodents
title_short Evaluation of a user‐friendly CSDS cage apparatus for studying depressive‐like behaviors in rodents
title_sort evaluation of a user friendly csds cage apparatus for studying depressive like behaviors in rodents
topic CSDS
depression
experimental cage
leak‐proof water bottle
methodology
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ame2.12510
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