A sensitive method of rodent rotometry for use in olfactory stem cell studies
Author(s)
Pagendam-Turner, Mary
Meedeniya, Adrian
Johnston, Amy
Year published
2007
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
We developed and evaluated a method of videographic rotometry, sensitive to subtle changes in turning bias in hemi-parkinsonian rodents for use following olfactory stem cell transplants. This algorithm was sensitive enough to detect differences in undrugged rotational bias in these animals. Methods: Male Wistar rats with unilateral 6-OHDA nigrostriatal lesions (n=12) and unlesioned controls (n=6) were placed in vertical-sided circular open fields for 15 min and videorecorded from above. The x-y coordinates of the animals' centres, nose-points and tail bases were recorded once per second using Ethovision XT software. From ...
View more >We developed and evaluated a method of videographic rotometry, sensitive to subtle changes in turning bias in hemi-parkinsonian rodents for use following olfactory stem cell transplants. This algorithm was sensitive enough to detect differences in undrugged rotational bias in these animals. Methods: Male Wistar rats with unilateral 6-OHDA nigrostriatal lesions (n=12) and unlesioned controls (n=6) were placed in vertical-sided circular open fields for 15 min and videorecorded from above. The x-y coordinates of the animals' centres, nose-points and tail bases were recorded once per second using Ethovision XT software. From this, changes in the angular orientation of the rats' bodies over the course of the test were determined. The angle between fore- and hind-quarters was also analysed. Results: The algorithm detected a significantly greater proportion of ipsilateral turning in the lesioned group (p=0.001). Angle between fore- and hind-quarters did not differ significantly between the groups. Observation during analysis with Ethovision XT indicated that accurate location of nose-point and tail-base was reduced during episodes of rearing. Conclusion: The algorithm was successful in detecting rotational bias in the lesioned animals, without drug administration. Utilising the multiple body point tracking capability of Ethovision XT avoided movement artefacts inherent in single-point video rotometry. Use of bowl-shaped enclosures in future may increase accuracy by reducing exploratory rearing. Further validation of the algorithm and confirmation of its predictive validity is warranted.
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View more >We developed and evaluated a method of videographic rotometry, sensitive to subtle changes in turning bias in hemi-parkinsonian rodents for use following olfactory stem cell transplants. This algorithm was sensitive enough to detect differences in undrugged rotational bias in these animals. Methods: Male Wistar rats with unilateral 6-OHDA nigrostriatal lesions (n=12) and unlesioned controls (n=6) were placed in vertical-sided circular open fields for 15 min and videorecorded from above. The x-y coordinates of the animals' centres, nose-points and tail bases were recorded once per second using Ethovision XT software. From this, changes in the angular orientation of the rats' bodies over the course of the test were determined. The angle between fore- and hind-quarters was also analysed. Results: The algorithm detected a significantly greater proportion of ipsilateral turning in the lesioned group (p=0.001). Angle between fore- and hind-quarters did not differ significantly between the groups. Observation during analysis with Ethovision XT indicated that accurate location of nose-point and tail-base was reduced during episodes of rearing. Conclusion: The algorithm was successful in detecting rotational bias in the lesioned animals, without drug administration. Utilising the multiple body point tracking capability of Ethovision XT avoided movement artefacts inherent in single-point video rotometry. Use of bowl-shaped enclosures in future may increase accuracy by reducing exploratory rearing. Further validation of the algorithm and confirmation of its predictive validity is warranted.
View less >
Conference Title
A sensitive method of rodent rotometry for use in olfactory stem cell studies