$2,290.00
The Piglet T-Maze serves as a tool for evaluating spatial learning and memory in piglets. This maze draws inspiration from the traditional T-Maze, widely employed for assessing learning and memory in rodents. While rodents have traditionally dominated research as animal models, there is an increasing trend towards utilizing piglet models in scientific studies.
Features |
Arm Length: 91cm |
Arm Width: 30cm |
Wall height: 50cm |
4 PVC bowls included |
Pigs are recognized for their high social intelligence, making them a compelling choice for behavioral research. Their appeal is bolstered by their large gyrencephalic brains, which more closely resemble human brains compared to traditional models like rodents (Lind et al., 2007). Moreover, pigs offer opportunities for transgenic manipulations, enhancing their suitability for research purposes. Despite these advantages, challenges such as the size of mature animals and variability in breeds can pose logistical concerns, prompting researchers to often opt for piglets due to their manageable size and ease of handling.
The Piglet T-Maze adopts a capital T shape, featuring a start corridor (stem) and choice arms. Typically, animals are motivated by food rewards placed in the goal boxes located at the ends of the choice arms. Other mazes employed in studying pig behaviors include the Pig Open-Field test and the Pig 8-Arm Radial Maze.
The piglet T-maze features a starting alleyway and two choice arms, designed with arm widths of approximately 2.4 meters to comfortably accommodate the animal. The overall dimensions of the apparatus measure 1.2 meters in width and 1.98 meters in length. Each goal arm includes a concealed goal box, visible only once the piglet commits to entering that arm. Positioned behind each goal arm is a bowl of food replacer, hidden from view to the piglets. The device allows for incorporating a visual discrimination component at the maze intersection.
Clean the device before, after and in-between usage. Appropriately illuminate the maze by using overhead headlights to prevent any shadow formation. Observation and recording of the movements of the subjects can be done using a tracking system such as the Noldus EthoVision XT.
Piglets can be housed together before the study period and allowed to explore the maze to get used to the device. Prior to the functional test, animals are to be starved for a maximum of 2 hours.
Set a food reward in one of the choice arms. Introduce the subject into the start arm of the T-Maze and guide it initially towards the non-baited arm, then direct it to the baited arm where it can access the food reward. Conduct 10 consecutive trials lasting 60 seconds each, releasing the subject from the start arm to find the baited arm. If the subject doesn’t locate the reward within the designated time, gently guide it to the baited arm for reward consumption. Subjects meeting the criteria proceed to subsequent trials.
Subjects that successfully met the criterion for the training trial can then be evaluated in normal trials. For these trials, bait one of the goal arms. Allow the subject 3 minutes to locate the reward. Perform at least 5 such trials. In case the subject fails to find the reward, do not guide it to the baited arm and count this as an error.
Reversal trials should immediately follow the normal trials. For these trials, bait the arm alternate to the previously baited arm. Allow the subject 5 minutes to locate the reward. Perform a maximum of 6 such trials. In case the subject fails to find the reward, do not guide it to the baited arm and count this as an error.
A visual discrimination element in the form of a dot or a random image can be added to the maze to guide the piglet to the goal arm. The T-Maze task protocol remains the same as mentioned earlier.
Sullivan et al. (2013) examined behavioral changes in five Yorkshire piglets following traumatic brain injury (TBI), employing a variety of assays. The piglets were divided into two cohorts: an injury group and a sham group. The injury group underwent rapid non-impact head rotation in the sagittal plane. Results indicated challenges in learning task paradigms among the injured group, as they spent notably more time in the former location of the food reward during reversal trials. Additionally, though not statistically significant, injured animals tended to take longer to reach rewards compared to the sham group in reversal trials.
The following data can be analyzed using the T-maze:
The T-Maze offers a straightforward method to assess cognition and is designed for easy cleaning. Unlike some behavioral assays, it minimizes stress on animals by using non-aversive motivation. Each T-Maze includes stationary bowls to prevent spillage of solid or liquid food rewards. Behind each arm, a goal replacer maintains consistent olfactory cues across both arms during experiments. The T-Maze can be adapted easily for various investigations, such as incorporating visual stimuli or guillotine doors.
The T-Maze operates on a binary choice system, where each goal arm is equally likely to be selected by the animal (50% probability). Subjects may utilize strategies beyond spatial learning, incorporating both spatial and non-spatial cues. The animal’s exploratory drive plays a crucial role in obtaining accurate results. Excessive handling and overtraining can induce stress, potentially impairing maze performance. Variability in reward amounts across trials may cause ‘contrast effects’, reducing motivation. Gender, age, and the subject’s psychological state also influence task performance. External disturbances like olfactory, auditory, and visual stimuli further impact task outcomes.
Lind, N.M., Moustgaard, A., Jelsing, J., Vajta, G., Cumming, P., & Hansen, A.K. (2007). The use of pigs in neuroscience: Modeling brain disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 31(5), pp 728–751. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2007.02.003
Sullivan, S., Friess, S. H., Ralston, J., Smith, C., Propert, K. J., …, Margulies, S. S. (2013). Improved Behavior, Motor, and Cognition Assessments in Neonatal Piglets. Journal of Neurotrauma, 30(20), pp 1770–1779. http://doi.org/10.1089/neu.2013.2913
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