Table 3.
Overview of behavioural tests with IVC, IVCR and MIS groups
| Behavioural test | Parameter measured | IVC | IVCR | MIS | Group comparison | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median | Ranges | Median | Ranges | Median | Ranges | H | P | ||
| Grip strength test | Fore limb normalised peak force | 24.96 | 24–27 | 24.42 | 23–29 | 22.59 | 19–23 | 7.08 | 0.029* |
| Hind limb normalised peak force | 29.73 | 29–32 | 29.92 | 29–31 | 29.12 | 28–29 | 3.01 | 0.221n.s. | |
| Rotarod test | Latency to fall (s) | 187 | 144–216 | 161 | 115–185 | 149.5 | 123–235 | 1.36 | 0.507n.s. |
| Number of transitions | 4 | 1–9 | 6 | 2.5–8 | 10.5 | 8.5–12.5 | 6.83 | 0.032* | |
| L/D Box test | Time in light zone (s) | 413.4 | 355–504 | 386.6 | 312–519 | 331.5 | 291–390 | 3.52 | 0.17n.s. |
| Rearing Frequency (Light) | 32 | 22.6–35 | 19 | 12–26.5 | 24 | 15–27 | 0.79 | 0.6n.s. | |
| Rearing Frequency (Dark) | 12 | 1.5–17 | 12 | 0–15.5 | 19.5 | 15–27 | 0.6393 | 0.97n.s. | |
| Elevated plus-maze test | Time in the open arms | 18 | 8.5–42 | 36 | 26–51 | 26 | 18.5–39 | 3.52 | 0.171n.s. |
| Time in the closed arms | 536 | 508–561 | 522 | 497–547 | 529 | 510–534 | 1.08 | 0.578n.s. | |
| Time in the central area | 36.5 | 29.5–45 | 38 | 29–55 | 40.5 | 34.5–63 | 0.69 | 0.708n.s. | |
| No. entries (open arms) | 2.5 | 1.5–4.5 | 3 | 3–5.5 | 3 | 2–3.5 | 3.01 | 0.221n.s. | |
| No. entries (closed arms) | 23.5 | 22–28 | 24 | 17–30 | 25.5 | 22–29 | 0.15 | 0.926n.s. | |
| No. entries (central area) | 26 | 24–30 | 27 | 19–33 | 27.5 | 24–31 | 0.14 | 0.934n.s. | |
| % entries (open arms) | 4.39 | 2.9–7.2 | 7.6 | 6.4–8.1 | 5.8 | 3.6–8.1 | 4.635 | 0.098n.s. | |
| Forced swim test | Total swimming time (s) | 162 | 151–211 | 193 | 158–217 | 137 | 101.–161 | 4.39 | 0.111n.s. |
| Open-field test | Total distance travelled (m) | 30.18 | 22–39 | 27.09 | 24–29 | 36.12 | 31–41 | 5.8 | 0.053 |
| Time in inner zone (s) | 21 | 11–56 | 18.4 | 13–24 | 30.6 | 22.3–56.6 | 2.26 | 0.323n.s. | |
| Time in outer zone (s) | 409.6 | 286.–473 | 434.8 | 383–459 | 331.1 | 294–356 | 3.77 | 0.152n.s. | |
| Number of rearings | 28 | 21–48 | 37 | 16–44.5 | 54 | 44–83 | 6.39 | 0.04* | |
| Learning avoidance test | Latency to enter (s) | 61 | 40–283 | 132 | 69–300 | 62 | 33–148 | 3.36 | 0.186n.s. |
| T-maze alternation | Frequency of alternation | 7 | 6–8.5 | 6 | 4.5–8 | 8.5 | 7.5–11 | 6.38 | 0.041* |
| Aggressiveness | Number of offensive acts | 19 | 8–37 | 16 | 10–26 | 39 | 19–66 | 11.29 | 0.003* |
| Number of defensive acts | 7.5 | 3–15 | 7 | 3–9 | 6.5 | 2–20 | 0.74 | 0.69n.s. | |
| Number of comfort acts | 57 | 44–85 | 71 | 47–84 | 98 | 70–133 | 18.34 | 0.001* | |
Group statistics show the median and the extrema 25–75% percentiles
Group comparisons are calculated using the Kruskal–Wallis H test (KWH test), IVC standard area cage group (n = 12), IVCR 50% reduced area cage group (n = 12), MIS “Mice in Space” cage groups (n = 16 + 2), P level of significance