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Mammalian Diving Response Apparatus
SKU CS-958333
$3,490.00
IncludesStandard care
Clear acrylic apparatus with five swim channels for investigating mammalian diving reflex and underwater navigation behavior in rodents through controlled submersion protocols.
CE MarkedBAA available
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Mouse, Rat
- SKU family
- CS-958333
- Sizing
- Mouse: Length 67 cm · Width 40 cm; Rat: Length 100 cm · Width 60 cm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- Clear Acrylic
The Mammalian Diving Response Apparatus investigates the physiological diving reflex in rodents, a conserved autonomic response characterized by apnea, bradycardia, and altered blood flow distribution during submersion. This clear acrylic apparatus provides a controlled environment for studying the central integrative aspects of diving behavior through underwater swimming tasks.
The system features five individual swim channels with removable dividers, allowing researchers to test multiple subjects simultaneously or modify channel configurations for experimental protocols. Subjects are trained progressively from open water swimming to navigating underwater tunnels, ultimately swimming submerged to reach an escape platform at the diagonal opposite end of the maze. This protocol enables quantitative assessment of diving-induced physiological responses and adaptive behaviors in mice and rats.
How It Works
The mammalian diving response represents an evolutionarily conserved physiological mechanism that optimizes oxygen utilization during submersion. When subjects enter the water-filled channels and submerge, trigeminal nerve stimulation triggers vagal activation, resulting in immediate bradycardia, apnea, and peripheral vasoconstriction that redirects blood flow to vital organs including the brain and heart.
The apparatus exploits this reflex by requiring subjects to swim underwater through confined channels to reach an escape platform. The clear acrylic construction allows direct observation of swimming behavior while the removable dividers enable modification of channel width and complexity. The platform elevator in the start chamber provides controlled entry conditions, while the diagonal placement of the escape platform ensures consistent swimming distance and submersion duration across trials.
Physiological monitoring during these trials captures the magnitude and kinetics of diving response parameters, while behavioral measures assess navigation performance, escape latency, and adaptive learning under hypoxic stress conditions.
Features & Benefits
Five individual swim channels with 8 cm width
Enables simultaneous testing of multiple subjects while maintaining consistent swimming conditions and reducing experimental variability
Clear acrylic construction throughout
Provides unobstructed visual access for behavioral monitoring and video recording of swimming patterns and diving responses
Removable acrylic dividers
Allows flexible channel configuration for different experimental protocols and subject group sizes
Platform elevator in start chamber
Ensures controlled and consistent entry conditions for each trial, reducing variability in initial diving responses
Diagonal escape platform placement
Maintains uniform swimming distance and submersion duration across all channels for standardized physiological measurements
67 cm channel length
Provides sufficient distance for full diving reflex activation while ensuring subject safety and preventing excessive hypoxic stress
Clear acrylic lid with openings
Prevents escape while allowing controlled access for subject introduction and physiological sensor placement
Sizes by model
| Measurement | Mouse | Rat |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 67 cm | 100 cm |
| Width | 40 cm | 60 cm |
| Height | 10 cm | 15 cm |
| Lane width | 8 cm | 11 cm |
| Length of channel | 67 cm | 100 cm |
- Individual channels: 5
Number of Swim Channels
- 5
Channel Width
- 8 cm
Divider Type
- Removable acrylic dividers
Lid Type
- Clear acrylic lid with openings
Start Chamber
- Removable chamber with platform elevator
Escape Platform
- Platform at diagonal opposite end
Behavioral Construct
- diving reflex
- underwater navigation
- escape behavior
- spatial learning
- stress response
- bradycardia response
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- Clear Acrylic
Dimensions
- 67 cm x 40 cm x 10 cm
Research Domain
- Anxiety and Depression
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Learning and Memory
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
Compatible Tracking Software
- ConductVision
Shipping weight
- 6.06 lb
Shipping box
- L: 65.0 cm
- W: 36.0 cm
- H: 27.0 cm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Test Channels | 5 individual swim channels | Single chamber or 2-3 channel systems | Higher experimental throughput while maintaining individual subject tracking and reduced between-subject variability |
| Channel Width Standardization | Consistent 8 cm lane width across all channels | Variable or wider channel dimensions | Ensures uniform swimming conditions and comparable physiological stress levels across all subjects |
| Platform Configuration | Diagonal escape platform with elevator start chamber | Fixed platform placement or manual subject introduction | Standardized swimming distance and controlled trial initiation reduces protocol variability |
| Visual Monitoring Access | Clear acrylic construction with transparent lid | Opaque materials or limited viewing angles | Complete behavioral observation and video recording capabilities for comprehensive data collection |
| Configuration Flexibility | Removable dividers for channel modification | Fixed chamber designs | Adaptable to multiple experimental protocols and research questions within single apparatus investment |
This apparatus combines multi-channel efficiency with standardized diving protocols through clear acrylic construction and flexible configuration options. The diagonal platform placement and controlled entry system provide consistent experimental conditions while accommodating both mouse and rat studies in species-specific dimensions.
| Model | Size | SKU | Listed price | Status | Shipping box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse | Length 67 cm · Width 40 cm · Height 10 cm · Lane width 8 cm | CS-958333 | $2,990.00 | Available | 67 x 40 x 10 cm |
| Rat | Length 100 cm · Width 60 cm · Height 15 cm · Lane width 11 cm | CS-958333 | $3,490.00 | Available | 100 x 60 x 15 cm |
Neuroscience
Investigating central nervous system control of diving reflex responses and autonomic integration during voluntary submersion in rodent models.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Assessing effects of pharmacological interventions on diving behavior, bradycardia responses, and underwater navigation performance.
Cardiovascular Research
Measuring diving-induced bradycardia and peripheral vasoconstriction responses as models of cardiovascular adaptation to hypoxic stress.
Learning and Memory
Evaluating spatial memory and learning acquisition through underwater maze navigation tasks and escape platform location.
Anxiety and Depression
Utilizing forced swimming and submersion protocols to assess stress-related behaviors and coping mechanisms in rodent models.
Pain Research
Studying analgesic effects and pain responses under diving reflex conditions where bradycardia may influence nociceptive processing.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Verify water level consistency across all channels before each session using a precise depth gauge.
Why: Even small variations in water depth can significantly affect submersion requirements and diving response magnitude.
Maintenance
Clean acrylic surfaces with non-abrasive cleaners and inspect divider seals regularly for watertight integrity.
Why: Scratched surfaces impair visual monitoring while seal failures create uneven water levels between channels.
Best Practices
Establish consistent inter-trial intervals of 24-48 hours to prevent habituation of diving responses.
Why: Repeated exposure can diminish physiological response magnitude and alter behavioral performance patterns.
Troubleshooting
If subjects avoid submersion, gradually reduce water level over training sessions rather than forcing immediate deep water exposure.
Why: Sudden depth changes can induce excessive stress responses that confound diving reflex measurements.
Data Quality
Record ambient temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions as these environmental factors influence diving behavior.
Why: Environmental variables can affect baseline physiological parameters and swimming performance consistency.
Safety
Position emergency retrieval tools and establish maximum trial duration limits based on subject size and experimental protocol.
Why: Rapid intervention capability prevents hypoxic injury while predetermined endpoints ensure ethical compliance.
Best Practices
Use species-appropriate water temperature ranges and monitor continuously throughout testing sessions.
Why: Temperature deviations can alter metabolic demand and confound interpretation of diving response adaptations.
Setup Guide
Unpack and Inspect
Remove all acrylic components from packaging and inspect for cracks or damage, paying particular attention to channel walls and divider fittings.
Assemble Channel Configuration
Install removable acrylic dividers to create desired number of swim channels, ensuring secure fit and watertight seals at all connection points.
Install Platform Systems
Position the removable start chamber with platform elevator at one end and secure the escape platform at the diagonal opposite corner.
Water Fill and Level Check
Fill channels with temperature-controlled water to specified depth, typically 8-10 cm, ensuring consistent levels across all channels for uniform swimming conditions.
Temperature Equilibration
Allow water temperature to stabilize at 22-25°C and maintain throughout testing sessions to prevent thermal stress effects on diving responses.
Behavioral Training Protocol
Begin with open water swimming training before introducing subjects to channel navigation, gradually reducing water levels to require submersion for platform access.
Monitoring System Setup
Position recording equipment for behavioral observation and physiological monitoring, ensuring clear visibility through transparent walls for accurate data collection.
What’s in the Box
- Clear acrylic apparatus frame (species-specific dimensions)
- Five removable acrylic dividers
- Clear acrylic lid with access openings
- Removable start chamber with platform elevator
- Escape platform assembly
- Assembly hardware and fittings
- User manual with protocol guidelines (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering structural defects and component failure under normal laboratory use conditions. Technical support includes protocol consultation and troubleshooting assistance for experimental setup optimization.
Compliance
ARRIVE GuidelinesSupports standardized reporting of animal research involving diving behavior studies through controlled experimental conditions and reproducible protocols
Guide for Care and Use of Laboratory AnimalsCommonly used in research facilities following NIH guidelines for rodent behavioral testing and physiological stress protocols
IACUC Protocol RequirementsEquipment specifications and protocols support institutional review of animal swimming studies and stress-related research methodologies
Protocol and background
Introduction
The Mammalian Diving Response, also known as a diving reflex, refers to the physiological responses that occur as a result of submergence. These autonomic responses consist of apnea, bradycardia, and alteration of blood flow to optimize respiration in all air-breathing vertebrates.
The Mammalian Diving Response apparatus is useful in the investigations of the central integrative aspects of diving reflex. The task requires the subject to swim underwater to reach the escape platform at the end of the maze. The subjects are first trained to swim in an open Mammalian Diving Response tank and slowly introduced to swimming in tunnels before being tested for the diving response. This training is essential since hemodynamic responses of subjects forced to dive tend to differ from those that voluntarily dive (Panneton et al., 2010). Further, the training also helps reduce experimental anxiety and stress.
The Mammalian Diving Response apparatus is made of a clear acrylic tank that has removable barriers. The removable barriers are positioned in the groves at the base of the tank to create a hairpin maze. The top of the tank is covered using a clear acrylic lid. A removable start chamber that is equipped with a platform serves as an elevator to lower the subject into the tank. Diagonally opposite to the start is the escape platform. The escape platform allows the subject to pull itself out of the water.
Apparatus & Equipment
The Mammalian Diving Response apparatus is made of clear acrylic. It is a tank of dimension 67 x 40 x 10 cm and is divided into 5 swim channels of width 8 cm. The channels are made using removable acrylic dividers. The top of the box is covered with a clear acrylic lid that has openings for the start and end platforms. This lid helps create underwater swim channels. At the start opening a chamber serves as the elevator to lower the subject using a platform into the tank. The end of the maze, diagonally opposite the start corner, has a platform on which the subject can haul itself up on after completing the course.
Training Protocol
Prior to testing the subjects in the Mammalian Diving Response tank, thoroughly clean the apparatus to prevent the influence of any lingering stimuli. Fill the apparatus with clean, ambient temperature water and stir the water to eliminate warm/cool pockets. Replace the water for every session. For tracking and recording, video tracking system such as the Noldus EthoVison XT can be used. Ensure that the apparatus is appropriately lit during the trials.
Swim Training
Before beginning diving tests, train the subject to swim in the tank 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Begin the training by gently lowering the subject into the channel 3 to 5 cm away from the escape platform. Allow the subject to swim away from the hand. Once the subject reaches the exit platform, allow it to rest on it for a minute. After the waiting period, gently lift the subject and handle it for 1 minute. During this time dry it using a towel to prevent hypothermia. Introduce it back into the channel and repeat the trials 3 to 5 times. In subsequent weeks of training, increase the distance the subject covers while swimming. Begin the first trial of each week with the successful distance covered in the previous week. Repeat the trials until the subject has learned to navigate the channels.
Dive Training
Begin dive training by familiarizing the subjects with the start chamber and being lowered into the maze using the platform. Fill the apparatus such that the water level is 1 cm below the start chamber. Place the subject on the platform and gently lower it into the maze. Allow the subject to swim to the escape platform. Repeat the trial 3 times.
On the next training day, fill the apparatus with water such that the level is slightly above the opening to the start chamber. The subject will now dive under the start chamber to swim to the exit platform since the water level is higher compared to the previous level. Repeat the trials 3 times.
Begin the next training day by filling the water in the tank such that the level is above the start chamber. Place a horizontal piece of acrylic immediately after the start area to create a 5 cm tunnel. In this trial, the subject will have to dip under the start chamber’s edge and swim underwater to reach the exit platform. Repeat the trials 3 to 5 times.
Weekly dive training should be initiated once the subject has familiarized itself with the dive training over the last three days. Conduct daily training sessions 5 days per week. In subsequent weeks of training, increase the length of the dive tunnel. Begin the first trial of each week with the successful distance covered in the previous week. At first use small increments of 5 to 10 cm followed by increments of 30 to 50 cm once the subject is more comfortable. If during the trials the subject fails to reach the end of the tunnel or turns around underwater, lift the cover and allow the rat to surface and finish its swim. Repeat the trials until the subjects have learned to navigate the tunnels.
For every trial, once the subject reaches the exit platform, allow it 1 minute to rest on the platform. After the waiting period, gently lift the subject and handle it for 1 minute. During this time dry it using a towel to prevent hypothermia.
Investigation of the role of the anterior ethmoidal nerve (AEN) in diving response
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to investigate the role of AEN in initiating a diving response. After undergoing successful swim and dive training, the rats were divided into groups. One group underwent bilateral sectioning of the AEN while another group underwent Sham AEN surgery. The groups were further divided into diving group and non-diving group. Following an appropriate recovery period, the diving groups were subjected to Mammalian Diving Response task. Subjects performed 24 dives in a period of 2 hours. On completion of the trials, the subjects were placed in their cages for 1 hour to allow Fos production within brainstem neurons after which they were euthanized. Visualization of Fos production in areas of interest showed a significant Fos-positive neuron in diving rats than in non-diving rats. However, no significant differences in brainstem Fos labeling in rats diving with and without intact AENs could be observed. (McCulloch et al., 2016)
Data Analysis
The following physiological parameters are usually recorded during the dive performances of the subjects.
- Mean arterial blood pressure
- Heart rate
- Pulse pressure
- Blood corticosterone levels
- Cardiac output distribution
- Partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood
- Partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood
- Neural Activity
Other than the above parameters, task performance parameters can include time taken to initiate the dive, time taken to reach the platform and velocity.
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
The Mammalian Diving Response tank is a simple apparatus to evaluate and investigate diving reflexes in rodents. The clear acrylic design allows visualization of the subject during the trials. Further, the removable barriers allow different configurations of the internal maze. By adding or removing the barriers, different levels of maze complexity can be attained. The apparatus also permits the creation of closed and open swim channel combinations to create variations of the task as needed. The Mammalian Diving Response tank can be easily modified or adapted for different investigations and research. Varying the size and depth of the tank allows variations of swim durations and dive depths.
Limitations
Forcing the subject to dive into the tank is not recommended. The hemodynamic parameters of subjects that are forced to dive vary from those that voluntarily dive into the tank. Further, forcing the subject to dive introduces effects of stress and anxiety into the task performance, thus, leading to incorrect observations. The task is significantly time-consuming since it requires swim training and dive training, that can last up to 6 weeks, to encourage the subject to dive voluntarily. The task may also induce muscle fatigue in the subjects.
Summary & Key Points
- Mammalian Diving Response refers to the physiological responses resulting from submergence underwater.
- The dive reflex overrides homeostatic reflexes to optimize respiration.
- The diving response consists of apnea, bradycardia, and alteration of blood flow.
- The Mammalian Diving Response apparatus is useful in investigations of the central integrative aspects of diving reflex.
- Forcing the subject to dive into tank results in hemodynamic parameters that vary from those that voluntarily dive into the tank.
- Mammalian Diving Response task is significantly time-consuming.
References
McCulloch PF, Warren EA, DiNovo KM (2016). Repetitive Diving in Trained Rats Still Increases Fos Production in Brainstem Neurons after Bilateral Sectioning of the Anterior Ethmoidal Nerve. Front Physiol. 7:148. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00148.
McCulloch, P. F. (2012). Animal models for investigating the central control of the mammalian diving response. Front. Physiol. 3, 1-16.
McCulloch, P.F. (2014). Training Rats to Voluntarily Dive Underwater: Investigations of the Mammalian Diving Response. J. Vis. Exp. (93), e52093, doi:10.3791/52093.
Panneton WM (2013). The mammalian diving response: an enigmatic reflex to preserve life? Physiology (Bethesda). 28(5):284-97. doi: 10.1152/physiol.00020.2013.
Panneton, W. M., Gan, Q., & Juric, R. (2010). The rat: a laboratory model for studies of the diving response. J. Appl. Physiol. 108, 811-820 (2010).
From the Maze Engineers documentation for this apparatus.
Q
What water depth is required for proper diving reflex activation?
A
Optimal water depth is typically 8-10 cm for mice and 12-15 cm for rats, sufficient to require full submersion for platform access while maintaining subject safety. Depth should be adjusted based on subject size and experimental requirements.
Q
How do I control water temperature throughout extended testing sessions?
A
Maintain water temperature at 22-25°C using external heating/cooling systems or temperature-controlled water baths. Monitor continuously as temperature variations can significantly affect diving response magnitude and duration.
Q
What physiological parameters can be monitored during diving trials?
A
Primary measurements include heart rate for bradycardia quantification, respiratory patterns, and swimming behavior. ECG telemetry or pulse oximetry can capture cardiovascular responses while underwater video tracking documents navigation performance.
Q
How should subjects be trained before experimental testing?
A
Begin with open water swimming in shallow conditions, gradually introduce channel constraints, then reduce water levels to require submersion. Training typically requires 5-7 sessions over 1-2 weeks for consistent performance.
Q
Can the channel configuration be modified for different experimental designs?
A
Yes, removable dividers allow creation of wider channels for group testing, maze configurations for spatial learning studies, or single large chamber for open water controls. All configurations maintain the escape platform requirement.
Q
What safety considerations are essential for diving reflex studies?
A
Limit submersion duration to prevent hypoxic injury, maintain constant observation during trials, ensure rapid access to emergency intervention, and establish clear endpoint criteria for trial termination based on subject behavior.
Q
How does this compare to forced swim test protocols?
A
Unlike forced swim tests focused on immobility and despair behavior, this apparatus specifically targets diving reflex physiology through goal-directed underwater navigation, providing distinct cardiovascular and respiratory measurements.
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Mammalian Diving Response Apparatus
$3,490.00
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