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Behavioral testing and preliminary analysis of the hamster visual system

Abstract

The dependence of visual orienting ability in hamsters on the axonal projections from retina to midbrain tectum provides experimenters with a good model for assessing the functional regeneration of this central nervous system axonal pathway. For reliable testing of this behavior, male animals at least 10–12 weeks old are prepared by regular pretesting, with all procedures carried out during the less active portion of the daily activity cycle. Using a sunflower seed attached to a small black ball held at the end of a stiff wire, and avoiding whisker contact, turning movements toward visual stimuli are video recorded from above. Because at the eye level, the nasal-most 30° of the visual field can be seen by both the eyes, this part of the field is avoided in assessments of a single side. Daily sessions consist of ten presentations per side. Measures are frequency of responding and detailed turning trajectories. Complete assessment of the functional return of behavior in this testing paradigm takes 3–6 months to complete.

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Figure 1: Figure showing the animal from the dorsal view.
Figure 2: Ear marking is a way to identify the animal after surgery, as well as if there are multiple animals in the same cage.
Figure 3: The visual field of a hamster from above.
Figure 4: The visual field of the animal from the front.
Figure 5: The stimulus is touching the tips of the whiskers.
Figure 10: The order of the stimulus presentation on a typical day.
Figure 6: The cage bottom makes a great platform for behavioral testing.
Figure 7: The cage bottom is on the left and the camera holder is on the right.
Figure 8: The seed presentation device is a long wire with a small stopper that has been cut down and notched, so a sunflower seed can be attached each time.
Figure 9: Before the trial is started, the animal should be identified by recording the label for 15–20 s.
Figure 11: Data sheet is used for each of the animals and the individual trials are marked in each box.
Figure 12: This blind control animal received a unilateral transection of the left brachium with saline injected into the cut.
Figure 13: The graph shows the percent of positive responses that animal performed each day.

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Correspondence to R G Ellis-Behnke or K F So.

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Supplementary information

Supplementary Video 1

Hyperactive (MOV 51822 kb)

Supplementary Video 2

Freezing (MOV 25743 kb)

Supplementary Video 3

Whisker (MOV 1827 kb)

Supplementary Video 4

Day One (MOV 21674 kb)

Supplementary Video 5

Restored Vision (MOV 4075 kb)

Supplementary Video 6

3rd Month of testing a recovered experimental (MOV 78054 kb)

Supplementary Video 7

Blind Control (MOV 16695 kb)

Supplementary Video 8

Normal Side Control (MOV 3116 kb)

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Schneider, G., Ellis-Behnke, R., Liang, Y. et al. Behavioral testing and preliminary analysis of the hamster visual system. Nat Protoc 1, 1898–1905 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nprot.2006.240

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