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Sajjaviriya C, Fujianti, Azuma M, Tsuchiya H, Koshimizu TA. Computer vision analysis of mother-infant interaction identified efficient pup retrieval in V1b receptor knockout mice. Peptides 2024; 177:171226. [PMID: 38649033 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2024.171226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Close contact between lactating rodent mothers and their infants is essential for effective nursing. Whether the mother's effort to retrieve the infants to their nest requires the vasopressin-signaling via V1b receptor has not been fully defined. To address this question, V1b receptor knockout (V1bKO) and control mice were analyzed in pup retrieval test. Because an exploring mother in a new test cage randomly accessed to multiple infants in changing backgrounds over time, a computer vision-based deep learning analysis was applied to continuously calculate the distances between the mother and the infants as a parameter of their relationship. In an open-field, a virgin female V1bKO mice entered fewer times into the center area and moved shorter distances than wild-type (WT). While this behavioral pattern persisted in V1bKO mother, the pup retrieval test demonstrated that total distances between a V1bKO mother and infants came closer in a shorter time than with a WT mother. Moreover, in the medial preoptic area, parts of the V1b receptor transcripts were detected in galanin- and c-fos-positive neurons following maternal stimulation by infants. This research highlights the effectiveness of deep learning analysis in evaluating the mother-infant relationship and the critical role of V1b receptor in pup retrieval during the early lactation phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chortip Sajjaviriya
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi 329-0489, Japan
| | - Fujianti
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi 329-0489, Japan
| | - Morio Azuma
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi 329-0489, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Tsuchiya
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi 329-0489, Japan
| | - Taka-Aki Koshimizu
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi 329-0489, Japan.
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Giovanniello JR, Paredes N, Wiener A, Ramírez-Armenta K, Oragwam C, Uwadia HO, Lim K, Nnamdi G, Wang A, Sehgal M, Reis FM, Sias AC, Silva AJ, Adhikari A, Malvaez M, Wassum KM. A dual-pathway architecture enables chronic stress to promote habit formation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.10.03.560731. [PMID: 37873076 PMCID: PMC10592885 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.03.560731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress can change how we learn and, thus, how we make decisions by promoting the formation of inflexible, potentially maladaptive, habits. Here we investigated the neuronal circuit mechanisms that enable this. Using a multifaceted approach in male and female mice, we reveal a dual pathway, amygdala-striatal, neuronal circuit architecture by which a recent history of chronic stress shapes learning to disrupt flexible goal-directed behavior in favor of inflexible habits. Chronic stress inhibits activity of basolateral amygdala projections to the dorsomedial striatum to impede the action-outcome learning that supports flexible, goal-directed decisions. Stress also increases activity in direct central amygdala projections to the dorsomedial striatum to promote the formation of rigid, inflexible habits. Thus, stress exerts opposing effects on two amygdala-striatal pathways to promote premature habit formation. These data provide neuronal circuit insights into how chronic stress shapes learning and decision making, and help understand how stress can lead to the disrupted decision making and pathological habits that characterize substance use disorders and other psychiatric conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna Wiener
- Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | | | | | | | - Kayla Lim
- Dept. of Biological Chemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Gift Nnamdi
- Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Alicia Wang
- Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Megha Sehgal
- Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | | | - Ana C Sias
- Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Alcino J Silva
- Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Avishek Adhikari
- Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Kate M Wassum
- Dept. of Psychology, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095
- Brain Research Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Integrative Center for Learning and Memory, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Sveeggen TM, Isakson BE, Straub AC, Bagher P. Bedding as a variable affecting fasting blood glucose and vascular physiology in mice. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 325:H338-H345. [PMID: 37389954 PMCID: PMC10435074 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00168.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Rodent husbandry requires careful consideration of environmental factors that may impact colony performance and subsequent physiological studies. Of note, recent reports have suggested corncob bedding may affect a broad range of organ systems. As corncob bedding may contain digestible hemicelluloses, trace sugars, and fiber, we hypothesized that corncob bedding impacts overnight fasting blood glucose and murine vascular function. Here, we compared mice housed on corncob bedding, which were then fasted overnight on either corncob or ALPHA-dri bedding, a virgin paper pulp cellulose alternative. Male and female mice were used from two noninduced, endothelial-specific conditional knockout strains [Cadherin 5-cre/ERT2, floxed hemoglobin-α1 (Hba1fl/fl) or Cadherin 5-cre/ERT2, floxed cytochrome-B5 reductase 3 (CyB5R3fl/fl)] on a C57BL/6J genetic background. After fasting overnight, initial fasting blood glucose was measured, and mice were anesthetized with isoflurane for measurement of blood perfusion via laser speckle contrast analysis using a PeriMed PeriCam PSI NR system. After a 15-min equilibration, the mice were injected intraperitoneally with the α1-adrenergic receptor agonist, phenylephrine (5 mg/kg), or saline, and monitored for changes in blood perfusion. After a 15-min response period, blood glucose was remeasured postprocedure. In both strains, mice fasted on corncob bedding had higher blood glucose than the pulp cellulose group. In the CyB5R3fl/fl strain, mice housed on corncob bedding displayed a significant reduction in phenylephrine-mediated change in perfusion. In the Hba1fl/fl strain, phenylephrine-induced change in perfusion was not different in the corncob group. This work suggests that corncob bedding, in part due to its ingestion by mice, could impact vascular measurements and fasting blood glucose. To promote scientific rigor and improve reproducibility, bedding type should be routinely included in published methods.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates real-time measurement of changes in perfusion to pharmacological treatment using laser speckle contrast analysis. Furthermore, this investigation revealed that fasting mice overnight on corncob bedding has differential effects on vascular function and that there was increased fasting blood glucose in mice fasted on corncob bedding compared with paper pulp cellulose bedding. This highlights the impact that bedding type can have on outcomes in vascular and metabolic research and reinforces the need for thorough and robust reporting of animal husbandry practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy M Sveeggen
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States
| | - Brant E Isakson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
- Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
| | - Adam C Straub
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Pooneh Bagher
- Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States
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Saré RM, Lemons A, Smith CB. Behavior Testing in Rodents: Highlighting Potential Confounds Affecting Variability and Reproducibility. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11040522. [PMID: 33924037 PMCID: PMC8073298 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11040522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Rodent models of brain disorders including neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurodegenerative diseases are essential for increasing our understanding of underlying pathology and for preclinical testing of potential treatments. Some of the most important outcome measures in such studies are behavioral. Unfortunately, reports from different labs are often conflicting, and preclinical studies in rodent models are not often corroborated in human trials. There are many well-established tests for assessing various behavioral readouts, but subtle aspects can influence measurements. Features such as housing conditions, conditions of testing, and the sex and strain of the animals can all have effects on tests of behavior. In the conduct of behavior testing, it is important to keep these features in mind to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of results. In this review, we highlight factors that we and others have encountered that can influence behavioral measures. Our goal is to increase awareness of factors that can affect behavior in rodents and to emphasize the need for detailed reporting of methods.
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Lee VK, David JM, Huerkamp MJ. Micro- and Macroenvironmental Conditions and Stability of Terrestrial Models. ILAR J 2020; 60:120-140. [PMID: 33094820 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilaa013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Environmental variables can have profound effects on the biological responses of research animals and the outcomes of experiments dependent on them. Some of these influences are both predictable and unpredictable in effect, many are challenging to standardize, and all are influenced by the planning and conduct of experiments and the design and operation of the vivarium. Others are not yet known. Within the immediate environment where the research animal resides, in the vivarium and in transit, the most notable of these factors are ambient temperature, relative humidity, gaseous pollutant by-products of animal metabolism and physiology, dust and particulates, barometric pressure, electromagnetic fields, and illumination. Ambient temperatures in the animal housing environment, in particular those experienced by rodents below the thermoneutral zone, may introduce degrees of stress and thermoregulatory compensative responses that may complicate or invalidate study measurements across a broad array of disciplines. Other factors may have more subtle and specific effects. It is incumbent on scientists designing and executing experiments and staff responsible for animal husbandry to be aware of, understand, measure, systematically record, control, and account for the impact of these factors on sensitive animal model systems to ensure the quality and reproducibility of scientific studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa K Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Division of Animal Resources, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - John M David
- Translational Medicine Department, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J Huerkamp
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Division of Animal Resources, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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Barbee RW, Turner PV. Incorporating Laboratory Animal Science into Responsible Biomedical Research. ILAR J 2019; 60:9-16. [DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilz017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Biomedical research has made great strides in the past century leading to rapid advances in human life expectancy, all derived from improved understanding, prevention, and treatment of many diseases and conditions. Research involving laboratory animals has played a significant role in this medical progress. However, there continues to be controversy surrounding the use of animals in research, and animal models have been questioned regarding their relevance to human conditions. While research fraud and questionable research practices could potentially contribute to this problem, we argue that a relative ignorance of laboratory animal science has contributed to the “uncontrolled vivarium experiment” that runs parallel to the more controlled scientific experiment. Several variables are discussed, including husbandry, animal environment, social housing, and more, that can contribute to this uncontrolled experiment, and that can simultaneously decrease quality of life for rodent test subjects when ignored. An argument is put forward that laboratory animal veterinarians and scientists can and should play an important role in better controlling such variables. Similarly, the laboratory animal veterinarian and scientist should play an important role in responsible science by addressing complex interdisciplinary challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Wayne Barbee
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Office of Research and Innovation
| | - Patricia V Turner
- Charles River Laboratories Inc., Global Animal Welfare & Training, University of Guelph Pathobiology
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Safety of exposure to high static magnetic fields (2 T-12 T): a study on mice. Eur Radiol 2019; 29:6029-6037. [PMID: 31115627 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-019-06256-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the biological effects of high static magnetic field (HiSMF, 2-12 Tesla [T]) exposure on mice in a stable and effective breeding environment in the chamber of a superconducting magnet. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were bred in the geomagnetic field and HiSMF with different magnetic field strengths (2-4 T, 6-8 T, and 10-12 T) for 28 days. The body weight, blood indices, organ coefficients, and histomorphology of major organs were analyzed. RESULTS The results showed that the HiSMF had no significant effect on the body weight, organ coefficients, or histomorphology of major organs in mice. The HiSMF had no effect on most routine blood and biochemical indices, but the value of the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) was increased in the 2-4 T group compared with that of the other groups, and the uric acid level (UA) was decreased in the three HiSMF groups compared with that of the control group. CONCLUSION The C57BL/6 mice were not affected when they were exposed to different HiSMF environments for 28 days. KEY POINTS • No physiological problems were observed in mice with long-term whole-body exposure to HiSMF.
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