This module allows the researcher to track the nose point and tail base point of mice and rats. This ability may be useful, as an example, in the object recognition test for measuring exploratory behavior.
EthoVision® XT is a state-of-the-art video tracking system for automatically recording animal activity and movement. EthoVision XT offers far more than just tracking your animal. Its functionality includes:
The unique detection methods ensure that tracking continues, even when the background changes, during your observations. The system can be set up to meet virtually all your needs. You can track animals in any type of maze, freely choose measurable parameters, and select whole trials or parts of trials for analysis. EthoVision XT greatly extends the possibilities for behavioral observations already offered by the current EthoVision range.
EthoVision stands as a groundbreaking, adaptable, and comprehensive solution for monitoring animal movement and behavior through video tracking. This sophisticated system empowers researchers to monitor their subjects’ movements meticulously, tracking individual body points, gauging mobility and elongation, and observing various behaviors like grooming, feeding, and rearing. The software effortlessly and automatically records key variables such as distance covered, velocity, trajectory, and zone visits. Whether in mazes or custom setups conducive to video capture, EthoVision seamlessly tracks animals in real-time or from recorded footage, ensuring not just thorough monitoring but also unparalleled consistency beyond human capacity.
Opting for video tracking in animal trials, rather than real-time researcher assessments, confers numerous benefits, including heightened consistency across multiple trials, precise temporal markers, and the ability to simultaneously monitor multiple subjects. These advantages, coupled with EthoVision’s array of analytical tools, high-throughput capabilities, and flexible input options, position it as a superior alternative to traditional human observation and live scoring. By harnessing the software’s capabilities for collecting and analyzing movement and behavioral data, researchers can efficiently compare animal behaviors across different experimental conditions.
Initially conceived over two decades ago as a video tracking tool, EthoVision has evolved into a comprehensive platform for recording and analyzing animal movement and behaviors. Deployed in over 2000 research sites worldwide, EthoVision boasts validation through thousands of publications in esteemed journals. The latest iteration, EthoVision XT, introduces groundbreaking features enabling automated recognition of mouse behaviors previously reliant on manual observation. These encompass activities such as digging, drinking, feeding, grooming, hopping, rearing with and without support, sniffing, and resting. Furthermore, this version offers enhanced arena definition methods, additional parameters, and seamless integration of results, tracks, and video footage into a unified, dynamic interface.
The EthoVision platform seamlessly accommodates a diverse range of animal species and experimental setups, enabling compatibility with any maze or recording environment. In the case of commonly employed rodent mazes, experiments are typically captured using a mounted overhead video camera.
Initiating an experiment with EthoVision involves the option to either tailor the setup to specific requirements or utilize one of the pre-configured templates available within the program.
A crucial initial step is compiling a trial roster encompassing all subjects under examination, detailing pertinent independent variables such as age, treatment regimen, and unique identifiers. Subsequently, attention turns to configuring detection settings essential for distinguishing the animal subjects from the background. While the software typically accomplishes this task automatically, researchers have the flexibility to choose from four distinct detection methods, each tailored to suit specific experimental contexts. Finally, delineating the arena boundaries and internal zones within the recording environment is imperative to ensure accurate tracking and analysis.
Once the initial experiment setup is complete, the software stands prepared to commence animal tracking and data collection. Every facet of data acquisition is customizable, encompassing:
Trials can be monitored and recorded either in real-time during live experiments or retrospectively within the software at a later stage. Additionally, researchers have the option for batch acquisition, facilitating sequential tracking of multiple files. This functionality enables uninterrupted operation, potentially running overnight without necessitating continual input.
Smarter mazes than ever before possible. Video tracking data can feed as efferent signals to Maze Engineers Automated Mazes and trigger afferent actions such as food loading, door opening, and stimuli flickering. Your imagination is the only limit.
This module allows you to track the movement of many animals in my different arenas at the same time. This ability will be useful for shortening the time it takes to test several animals performing the same task.
This module allows the researcher to track the nose point and tail base point of mice and rats. This ability may be useful, as an example, in the object recognition test for measuring exploratory behavior.
This module synchronizes data obtained outside of the program with data acquired through EthoVision. This ability may be useful, as an example, for compiling tracking as well as physiological data.
This module synchronizes data obtained outside of the program with data acquired through EthoVision. This ability may be useful, as an example, for compiling tracking as well as physiological data.
This module allows for mouse specific behaviors to be recognized including: Grooming, jumping, supported rearing, unsupported rearing, twitching, sniffing, walking, resting, eating and drinking.
Following data acquisition, EthoVision offers an array of analytical tools, facilitating a seamless transition from data collection to figure generation for publication.
One effective method for visualizing animal movement involves plotting tracks that delineate the animal’s trajectory throughout the trial, as depicted in Figure 1. These tracks, generated within the EthoVision software, offer researchers a swift means of evaluating animal movement patterns. Likewise, heatmaps produced by the software offer insights into areas frequented by the animal and its mobility levels; an illustrative example is featured in Figure 2.
EthoVision provides an integrated data visualization feature, enabling researchers to examine graphed data overlaid on video recordings. Moreover, it facilitates simultaneous viewing of data and videos from multiple trials, facilitating effortless comparison. Researchers have the flexibility to select or exclude specific data points for analysis, facilitating focused comparisons, such as assessing outcomes solely among subjects treated with a particular drug. The software also offers tools for smoothing data to mitigate background noise, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of analyses.
The software encompasses a multitude of parameters suitable for analysis, ranging from trial duration and proximity to designated zones or boundaries to metrics like distance traveled, speed, immobility, turn angles, rotations, elongation, and more. Statistical measures such as mean, variance, standard error, and standard deviation can be derived from the data analysis process. The resultant findings can be visualized through an array of graphs or charts, facilitating straightforward comparisons across treatment groups. This analysis can be executed automatically post a single trial or in batch mode subsequent to a series of trials.
The selection of parameters of interest hinges upon the specific maze or task under investigation. For instance, during an elevated plus maze trial involving mice, researchers typically focus on quantifying the number of entries into both the open and enclosed zones. These entries can be efficiently monitored using the software by delineating the appropriate zones before initiating the trial. Additionally, researchers may seek to monitor immobility, as it often serves as an indicator of perceived fear, with the software capable of generating heatmaps depicting areas where the animal remained stationary. By analyzing the output metrics across different treatment conditions, researchers can readily compare groups and derive precise results directly from the software interface.
EthoVision stands as a leader in the realm of video tracking for behavioral experiments involving animals, offering unparalleled capabilities. It boasts versatility, being applicable to any behavioral test across various animal species. The latest iteration of the software goes beyond mere movement tracking, proficiently distinguishing between a multitude of activities performed by mice and rats. Notably, the software’s scalability allows for standalone usage or integration with supplementary modules, forming a comprehensive platform.
Acknowledging the software’s steep learning curve, EthoVision provides a suite of resources including pre-designed templates and video tutorials to facilitate user onboarding. With features like batch analysis, high-throughput capabilities, and high-content data extraction, researchers can efficiently gather extensive data within shorter time frames compared to alternative tracking methods.
Despite its myriad advantages, some labs may encounter obstacles related to the initial investment and setup complexities associated with EthoVision. However, the software’s modular structure permits labs to tailor their purchase according to their specific experimental requirements. Furthermore, its compatibility with various camera systems allows for potential utilization of existing setups, mitigating additional costs.
EthoVision stands out as a dynamic and comprehensive tool for video-based animal behavior tracking. EthoVision seamlessly accommodates a diverse range of animal species and maze configurations. Within EthoVision, users have complete control over every aspect of tracking, from monitoring different body points to initiating or halting trials based on animal behavior cues. The software facilitates integrated visualization of collected data, enabling researchers to overlay graphed data onto video footage for enhanced analysis. EthoVision boasts an extensive array of parameters and statistical tools for analysis, with results easily transformed into visually compelling graphs or charts suitable for publication.
NOLDUS. ANIMAL BEHAVIOR HOMEPAGE.
HTTP://WWW.NOLDUS.COM/ANIMAL-BEHAVIOR-RESEARCH
NOLDUS. ETHOVISION XT TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS.
HTTP://HEALTH.USF.EDU/COREFACILITIES/TELEMETRY/~/~/MEDIA/FILES/MEDICINE/CORE/NOLDUSTECHNICALSPECIFICATIONS.PDF
NOLDUS, L.P.J.J., SPINK, A.J., TEGELENBOSCH, R.A.J. ETHOVISION: A VERSATILE VIDEO TRACKING SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATION OF BEHAVIORAL EXPERIMENTS. BEHAVIOR RESEARCH METHODS, INSTRUMENTS, AND COMPUTERS 33, 398-414 (2001).
SPINK, A.J., TEGELENBOSCH, R.A.J., BUMA, M.O.S., NOLDUS, L.P.J.J. THE ETHOVISION VIDEO TRACKING SYSTEM – A TOOL FOR BEHAVIORAL PHENOTYPING OF TRANSGENIC MICE. PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR 73, 731-744 (2001).
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