$1,890.00 – $1,990.00
Mouse |
Length of rectangular acrylic box: 24in |
Width of rectangular acrylic box: 8in |
Height of rectangular acrylic box: 8in |
Diameter of hole at end piece: 1¼in |
Tin can: 2½ |
Rat |
Length of rectangular acrylic box: 36in |
Width of rectangular acrylic box: 12in |
Height of rectangular acrylic box: 12in |
Diameter of hole at end piece: 1¼in |
Tin can: 2½ |
The Rodent Tilt Apparatus features a rectangular acrylic box suspended in mid-air, capable of being tilted to various angles in both left and right directions. This setup is used to examine how changes in the tilt of the visual field impact a rodent’s body alignment relative to the vertical axis. Unlike other devices that primarily test visual discrimination, such as the Visual Water Box or the Y-maze, the Rodent Tilt Apparatus also assesses other sensory modalities, including kinesthetic, labyrinthine, and tactile senses, alongside visual input.
The apparatus includes a pathway linking the starting platform to the goal box. As the rodent navigates this path, its shifting weight from side to side is recorded by a kymograph drum via a stylus attached to the apparatus’s cross-bar. Deviations from the vertical are displayed as variations in the top and bottom lines of the graph. The apparatus’s adjustable tilt allows for testing at various angles, accommodating different experimental requirements.
In addition to the Rodent Tilt Apparatus, other tools used for studying rodent behavior include the Balance Beam, the T-Maze, and the Elevated Plus Maze.
The Rodent Tilt Apparatus is a rectangular acrylic box, measuring 36 x 12 x 12 inches. Each end piece of the box has a central hole with a diameter of 1½ inches. Positioned above these holes are 2½ inch tin cans, open at both ends, extending ½ inch into the chamber through an additional opening. One can functions as the entrance tube, while the other serves as the exit tube.
Adjacent to the box, two platforms are set up: one as the starting platform and the other as the feeding platform, which also acts as the goal box. The feeding platform is enclosed on three sides by upright cardboard walls. The end panels of the box feature diagonal paint schemes: the triangles formed with the base along the bottom of the box are painted black, while the triangles continuous with the sides are painted white. A 4-inch wide, dark-tinted cellophane sheet is placed on the top cover of the chamber to block external light, while internal illumination is provided by four flashing bulbs mounted on each side of the chamber’s top.
The apparatus is suspended by wires connected to overhead braces, allowing it to rotate independently of the path bar. The path consists of a 4-foot-long wooden dowel, ¾ inch in diameter, which runs through the center holes in the end pieces and is supported at each end by metal V-cut pivots attached to upright supports. A spring, anchored between the path and the table at the entrance tube, provides tension and facilitates the path’s return to its original position after being displaced. The path extends beyond the exit of the box and has a 12-inch metal rod inserted perpendicularly through its center. The motion of the rodent is recorded on a kymograph drum using a stylus mounted on the cross-bar. The bottom panel of the apparatus is hinged, enabling easy access to retrieve subjects that may fall off the path.
Ensure the apparatus remains at a 0° tilt with the bar fixed in place, preventing any rotation. Position the subjects on the starting platform and give them time to acclimate to the path. Carry out 10 trials, with five of these trials conducted without any interruptions or pauses while the subjects are on the bar.
Adjust the apparatus to tilt left or right at angles of 0°, 10°, 20°, or 30° from the vertical. Position the subject on the starting platform and let it navigate to the goal box. Allow the subject to consume the reward until a baseline measurement is established for the kymograph recording. Afterward, remove the subject from the apparatus and return it to the starting platform for the next trial. Conduct four trials for each tilt angle per subject, ensuring that the first and last trials are performed at a 0° tilt.
Investigation of a potential relationship between the tilt of a visual field and the deviation of body position from the vertical in white rats.
In their 1950 study, Riess, Kratka, and Dinnerstein examined whether the tilt of a visual field influenced the deviation of body position from the vertical in rats. The study utilized the rodent tilt apparatus and involved ten albino rats (five males and five females) of the C-3 strain, each 120 days old, along with three female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 170 days. The rats were divided by sex and underwent ten habituation sessions on the apparatus.
During the training phase, the apparatus was tilted left or right at 0°, 10°, 20°, or 30° from the vertical. Each tilt angle was tested in four consecutive trials, with the order of tilt degrees randomized for the male rats and repeated for the female rats. The subjects’ movements were recorded using a kymograph. Larger deviations from the vertical position resulted in greater deviations on the graph from the baseline.
The study found no significant differences in body deviation between left and right tilt conditions across all angles except at 10°. At this angle, the behavior differed significantly between right and left tilt conditions, with a significance level of 0.1. Additionally, over the course of trials, a reduction in body deviation from the vertical was noted. No significant differences were observed between male and female rats for any tilt angle.
The following can be observed using the Rodent Tilt Apparatus:
The Rodent Tilt Apparatus is designed to explore how tilting the visual field affects a rodent’s body alignment. Beyond assessing visual processing, it also evaluates kinesthetic and labyrinthine sensory functions. The apparatus allows for adjustments to various tilt angles according to experimental requirements. Additionally, it facilitates quick trial setups and executions.
Unnecessary stimuli can impact how the subject performs the task. Factors such as age, gender, and strain may also influence task performance. For the task to be completed effectively, the subjects’ exploratory drive is crucial.
Riess, B. F., Kratka, H., & Dinnerstein, A. (1950). The relationship between the tilt of a visual field and the deviation of body position from the vertical in the white rat. Journal of experimental psychology, 40(4), 531. DOI:10.1037/h0056063
| Species | Mouse, Rat |
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DISCLAIMER: ConductScience and affiliate products are NOT designed for human consumption, testing, or clinical utilization. They are designed for pre-clinical utilization only. Customers purchasing apparatus for the purposes of scientific research or veterinary care affirm adherence to applicable regulatory bodies for the country in which their research or care is conducted.
