A Do-it-yourself System for Scheduled Feeding of Laboratory Rodents in Their Home Cage

作者： Jason Lê*1, Adolfo Cuadra*1, Cade Lanzafame2, Paul Spurlock3, Dave Follette2, Stephanie L. Padilla1,2 1Department of Biology,University of Massachusetts, 2Institute of Applied Life Sciences,University of Massachusetts, 3Animal Care Services at University,University of Massachusetts

简介：

Overview

This study presents an automated feeding system designed for rodent experiments, particularly focusing on timed feeding and caloric restriction. It aims to create better models of dieting paradigms and food insecurity, enhancing our understanding of brain responses to caloric changes on reproductive and social behaviors.

Key Study Components

Area of Science

• Neuroscience
• Animal Behavior
• Experimental Models

Background

• Research investigates the effects of caloric intake on weight loss and related behavioral responses in mice.
• The automated feeding system serves as a tool to mimic human dietary patterns and assess the impact of hunger signaling.
• Previous studies indicate that hunger influences behavior for survival and reproductive success.
• Challenges exist in current caloric restriction methods that do not accurately reflect human diets.

Purpose of Study

• To design an adaptable, cost-effective feeding system for research on diet and its effects on physiology.
• To enable precise control of food delivery timing and amounts in rodent experiments.
• To enhance models of food insecurity in experimental settings.

Methods Used

• An automated feeding system integrated with standard rodent cages for precise energy intake manipulation.
• Utilization of existing facilities, modifying cage lids and setups for ease of use in tethered optogenetic and fiber photometry experiments.
• Step-by-step assembly instructions for adapting the feeding mechanism and cage modifications.
• Ensuring home cage settings remain intact while allowing for experimental modifications.

Main Results

• The automated feeding system can effectively control food intake timing, facilitating better modeling of human diet patterns.
• Modifications allow for simultaneous tethered experiments and food delivery without disrupting animal housing.
• This approach can lead to more accurate assessments of hunger signaling and related behaviors in mice.
• Initial testing showed the system efficiently delivers controlled food allotments.

Conclusions

• The study demonstrates a novel feeding system that enables better mimicking of dietary behaviors in experimental models.
• This system paves the way for more nuanced investigations into the relationship between caloric intake and behavioral outcomes.
• Implications for using this setup in research could enhance understanding of neuronal mechanisms associated with hunger and food-seeking behaviors.

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