Influence of group size on mice behaviour in standard tests

  • Kseniya P. Avimova Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8768-4537
  • Dmitry B. Sandakov Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

Abstract

The influence of housing conditions (single, pair or group) on mice behaviour in standard tests (open field test, holeboard test, tail suspension test and elevated X-maze test) was studied. Group housing lead to increased time of grooming and freezing episodes in open field test. In hole-board test, group-housed mice demonstrated the least efficiency of exploratory activity. Single- and pair-housed mice were spending more time in closed arms of elevated X-maze (compared with open arms), and group-housed mice didn’t show the preference of closed arms. After 30 days under different experimental conditions, the least skin damage level was observed in pair-housed mice. Meanwhile, the dynamics of weight gain was similar in all animals.

Author Biographies

Kseniya P. Avimova, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

master’s degree student at the department of biochemistry, faculty of biology

Dmitry B. Sandakov, Belarusian State University, 4 Niezaliezhnasci Avenue, Minsk 220030, Belarus

PhD (biology), docent; associate professor at the department of human and animal physiology, faculty of biology

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Published
2023-11-08
Keywords: laboratory mice, conditions for housing of animals, single housing, group housing, behavioural tests, open field test, hole-board test, tail suspension test, elevated X-maze test, social stress
How to Cite
Avimova, K. P., & Sandakov, D. B. (2023). Influence of group size on mice behaviour in standard tests. Experimental Biology and Biotechnology, 3, 12-23. Retrieved from https://journals.bsu.by/index.php/biology/article/view/5733
Issue
No 3 (2023): Experimental Biology and Biotechnology
Section
Physiology and Сell Biology

Copyright (c) 2023 Experimental Biology and Biotechnology

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