Figure 2. Standard cage setup in chronic social defeat stress.

A. Standard rat cage used in chronic social defeat stress sessions. The resident aggressor CD-1 mouse is permanently housed on one side of the perforated divider, while C57BL/6J mice are rotated each day following defeat session to avoid habituation to aggressor mouse. B. Dimensions of additional parts for standard rat cage (custom made). The Cylinder holds an additional water bottle on side opposite of standard water bottle side. The perforated Plexiglas divider physically separates mice during non-social defeat periods (perforations allow for sensory interaction).