This article describes the open field behavior test, a widely used method to assess locomotion and exploratory behavior in rodents. The procedure involves placing a test animal in a controlled environment and recording its movements for analysis.
Perform the open field behavior test in a square box large enough to accommodate free movement of the test animal and with walls high enough to prevent the animal's escape. Mount a camera above the box so that the entire open field space is in the field of view and can be recorded.
Place a test animal, such as a mouse, in the center of the arena and begin the recording. To assess the animal's locomotion and exploration habits, track its behavior while it moves freely and explores the environment. Once the trial is completed, remove the mouse and clean the lining of the box.
Begin by turning on the open field test program and connecting the computer to the camera or open field box. Start the selected Smartware software and the Open Field icon. Select "OK". If applicable, choose the "digital-analog converter" source from the camera options.
Follow the instructions to make the appropriate dimensions to cover the open field box. Next, make sure that the mouse is being detected within the confines of the open field by calibrating the appropriate part of the software. Click "Time" to pre-set an amount of time to test the mice; in this case, set 5 minutes.
Enter the subjects by clicking and writing the appropriate names for the files; for example, phase one, session one. Next, place a mouse in the center of the open field and click the "Start" icon to prompt the program to begin recording.
After 5 minutes, observe the program automatically move to the next subject. In this case, remove the mouse that has completed the test and place the next subject into the open field of the program, then click "Start". Finally, to analyze the data, click on the "Analyze" icon at the top right of the screen. Click "Analyze" again and then "Summary Report".
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