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Social Approach Avoidance
SKU CS-958348
$1,400.00
IncludesStandard care
Configurable behavioral testing arena for measuring rodent social approach and avoidance behaviors with controlled environmental conditions and video monitoring capabilities.
CE MarkedBAA available
Scientist guidance
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- 1 selectable configurations
- SKU family
- CS-958348
- Sizing
- Social Approach–avoidance, mouse: 40x40 cm or 100x100 cm.; Social Approach–avoidance, rat: 40x40 cm or 100x100 cm.
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Behavioral Mazes
- Build notes
- Confirm accessories, station layout, and support needs before purchase
The Social Approach Avoidance arena provides a controlled environment for measuring rodent social behaviors through approach and avoidance paradigms. This behavioral testing apparatus features configurable compartments with a neutral middle area and separate zones for social targets, enabling researchers to quantify social preference, anxiety-like behaviors, and social motivation in laboratory rodents.
The arena accommodates various rodent species with size options ranging from 40×40 cm to 100×100 cm in rectangular or circular configurations. Constructed from smooth plastics or glass for easy cleaning and disinfection, the system includes environmental controls for lighting, temperature, and noise to minimize external influences. Video monitoring capabilities with overhead view provide comprehensive behavioral tracking and analysis.
How It Works
The Social Approach Avoidance test operates on the principle of measuring spontaneous behavioral choices when rodents are presented with social versus non-social stimuli in a controlled environment. The arena is divided into distinct zones including a neutral starting area and separate compartments where social targets (typically another rodent) and control objects are placed behind barriers that allow visual, auditory, and olfactory contact while preventing direct physical interaction.
During testing, the subject rodent is placed in the neutral zone and allowed to freely explore the arena. Behavioral metrics are quantified through video tracking systems that monitor movement patterns, zone preferences, and time allocation across different areas. The approach behavior is measured by proximity to and time spent near social stimuli, while avoidance is characterized by reduced exploration or active withdrawal from social zones.
Environmental parameters including lighting intensity, ambient noise, and temperature are carefully controlled to ensure consistent testing conditions and minimize stress-induced behavioral artifacts. The compartmentalized design allows for systematic manipulation of social stimuli while maintaining standardized testing protocols across experimental sessions.
Features & Benefits
Configurable arena dimensions (40×40 cm to 100×100 cm)
Accommodates different rodent species and experimental requirements while maintaining appropriate spatial constraints for behavioral analysis
Rectangular or circular arena configurations
Provides flexibility in experimental design to match specific behavioral testing protocols and research objectives
Compartmentalized design with neutral zones
Enables systematic measurement of approach and avoidance behaviors by providing distinct areas for stimulus presentation and behavioral choice
Smooth plastic and glass construction
Facilitates thorough cleaning and disinfection between trials while minimizing olfactory contamination from previous subjects
Environmental control integration
Maintains consistent lighting, temperature, and noise conditions to reduce confounding variables and improve data reproducibility
Video monitoring with overhead view capability
Enables comprehensive behavioral tracking and quantitative analysis of movement patterns and zone preferences
Controlled entry and exit points
Standardizes subject placement and reduces handling stress while maintaining experimental consistency across trials
Adaptation area inclusion
Allows subjects to acclimate to testing conditions before data collection, reducing stress artifacts and improving behavioral validity
Sizes by model
| Measurement | Social Approach–avoidance, mouse | Social Approach–avoidance, rat |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 40x40 cm or 100x100 cm. | 40x40 cm or 100x100 cm. |
- Rectangular or circular
- The size may vary depending on the species of rodent
Shipping weight
- 6.06 lb
Shipping box
- L: 40.0 cm
- W: 40.0 cm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arena Size Options | 40×40 cm to 100×100 cm configurable dimensions | Fixed dimensions with limited size options | Accommodates multiple rodent species and experimental designs within a single system |
| Arena Shape Configuration | Both rectangular and circular configurations available | Single shape design only | Enables protocol optimization based on specific behavioral testing requirements |
| Environmental Control Integration | Built-in lighting, temperature, and noise controls | Basic arena construction without environmental management | Reduces confounding variables and improves experimental reproducibility |
| Video Monitoring Capability | Overhead view camera integration with tracking software compatibility | Manual observation or basic recording systems | Enables quantitative behavioral analysis and automated data collection |
| Surface Materials | Smooth plastics and glass construction | Standard plastic materials only | Facilitates thorough cleaning and reduces olfactory contamination between subjects |
| Compartment Design | Configurable compartments with neutral zones and controlled barriers | Simple divided chambers with fixed partitions | Provides systematic stimulus control while maintaining behavioral choice flexibility |
This system combines configurable arena dimensions, multiple shape options, and integrated environmental controls to provide a comprehensive platform for social behavior research. The smooth surface materials and video monitoring capabilities support rigorous experimental protocols with improved data quality compared to basic behavioral testing setups.
Social Behavior
Assessing social preference and avoidance behaviors in mouse models of autism spectrum disorders by measuring time spent in proximity to social versus non-social stimuli.
Anxiety and Depression
Evaluating social anxiety phenotypes in rodent models by quantifying approach versus avoidance responses to conspecific animals under controlled conditions.
Behavioral Pharmacology
Testing the effects of anxiolytic or pro-social compounds on social interaction patterns and approach behaviors in laboratory rodents.
Neuroscience
Investigating the neural circuits underlying social motivation by correlating behavioral choices with neural activity recordings during approach-avoidance tasks.
Developmental Biology
Studying age-related changes in social behavior by comparing approach and avoidance responses across different developmental stages in rodents.
Addiction Research
Examining how substance exposure affects social motivation and preference using approach-avoidance paradigms in animal models of addiction.
Practical Tips
Calibration
Verify camera positioning and tracking software accuracy using known reference objects before each experimental session.
Why: Ensures consistent spatial measurements and behavioral tracking accuracy across all trials.
Maintenance
Inspect compartment barriers and dividers for damage or wear that could affect stimulus presentation or visual contact.
Why: Maintains standardized experimental conditions and prevents protocol deviations.
Best Practices
Use consistent lighting levels across all arena zones and document illumination settings for each experimental session.
Why: Prevents zone bias due to lighting preferences and ensures reproducible behavioral measurements.
Troubleshooting
If subjects show excessive freezing behavior, reduce initial lighting intensity and extend habituation periods.
Why: Stress-related behavioral artifacts can mask natural social approach and avoidance responses.
Data Quality
Record multiple behavioral sessions for each subject to account for individual variability and circadian influences.
Why: Improves statistical power and reduces the impact of single-session behavioral anomalies.
Safety
Ensure all electrical connections for environmental controls are protected from potential cleaning solution exposure.
Why: Prevents equipment damage and maintains safe operating conditions during routine disinfection protocols.
Best Practices
Balance social target characteristics (age, sex, strain) across experimental groups to control for stimulus variability.
Why: Reduces confounding variables and improves the validity of social behavior comparisons.
Data Quality
Establish minimum movement thresholds in tracking software to distinguish active exploration from passive positional changes.
Why: Improves the accuracy of approach and avoidance behavior quantification by filtering out non-intentional movements.
Setup Guide
Arena Assembly
Assemble the arena components ensuring all barriers and compartment dividers are securely positioned. Verify that visual contact areas are unobstructed between zones.
Environmental Controls
Set up lighting, temperature, and noise control systems according to protocol requirements. Ensure consistent illumination across all arena zones.
Video Monitoring Setup
Position overhead cameras to capture the entire arena with clear visibility of all zones. Test video recording and tracking software functionality.
Cleaning Protocol
Clean all surfaces with appropriate disinfectant and allow to dry completely. This removes olfactory cues from previous testing sessions.
Habituation Period
Allow test subjects to acclimate to the testing environment in the adaptation area for the specified duration before beginning behavioral assessments.
Stimulus Placement
Position social targets and control objects in designated compartments ensuring consistent placement across experimental trials.
Data Collection
Initialize tracking software and begin recording behavioral metrics including zone preferences, movement patterns, and interaction durations.
What’s in the Box
- Arena base and walls (typical)
- Compartment dividers and barriers (typical)
- Assembly hardware (typical)
- User manual with protocol guidelines (typical)
- Cleaning and maintenance instructions (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, along with technical support for setup and operational guidance.
Compliance
ARRIVE GuidelinesSupports standardized reporting of animal research methodology through controlled experimental conditions and systematic behavioral measurements
Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory AnimalsCommonly used in facilities following institutional guidelines for humane animal research practices and environmental enrichment protocols
FELASA GuidelinesSupports European laboratory animal science standards for behavioral testing methodology and animal welfare considerations
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
1.Morgan M. Rogers-Carter et al. (2018) “Insular cortex mediates approach and avoidance responses to social affective stimuli” Nature Neuroscience doi:10.1038/s41593-018-0071-y
2.Larry J. Young (2002) “The neurobiology of social recognition, approach, and avoidance” Biological Psychiatry doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(01)01268-9
3.Andrew J. Elliot et al. (2006) “Approach and Avoidance Motivation in the Social Domain” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin doi:10.1177/0146167205282153
4.Heidi Gazelle et al. (2004) “Moving Toward and Away From the World: Social Approach and Avoidance Trajectories in Anxious Solitary Youth” Child Development doi:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00709.x
Q
What arena size should I choose for my rodent species?
A
The 40×40 cm configuration is typically suitable for mice, while the 100×100 cm size accommodates rats and larger rodents. Consider the species' natural movement patterns and ensure adequate space for behavioral expression without allowing complete stimulus avoidance.
Q
How do I prevent olfactory contamination between subjects?
A
Clean all surfaces with appropriate disinfectant between trials and allow complete drying. The smooth plastic and glass construction facilitates thorough cleaning. Consider using different cleaning protocols for different experimental groups to maintain olfactory neutrality.
Q
What environmental controls are most critical for consistent results?
A
Maintain consistent lighting levels across all arena zones, control ambient noise to minimize startle responses, and ensure stable temperature conditions. Lighting should be sufficient for video tracking without causing stress-related behavioral artifacts.
Q
How long should the habituation period be?
A
Habituation duration depends on species and strain characteristics, typically ranging from 5-15 minutes. Monitor stress indicators and ensure subjects demonstrate normal exploratory behavior before introducing social stimuli.
Q
Can I modify the compartment configuration for different experiments?
A
Yes, the compartmentalized design allows for flexible stimulus placement and barrier positioning. Ensure modifications maintain visual contact capabilities and don't compromise video monitoring coverage of behavioral zones.
Q
What video tracking parameters should I monitor?
A
Key metrics include time spent in each zone, frequency of zone entries, movement velocity, and proximity to social stimuli. Overhead camera positioning enables tracking of detailed movement patterns and interaction behaviors.
Q
How do I ensure consistent stimulus presentation across trials?
A
Use standardized placement protocols for social targets and control objects, maintain consistent barrier positions, and ensure equivalent visual access across all experimental conditions. Document stimulus characteristics for reproducibility.
Have a question about this product?
Track rodents with ConductVision
ConductVision is our video-tracking software. Record your sessions on video, and it scores standard rodent tests, such as those listed below.
Examples of tests it scores
To check whether ConductVision scores your protocol in this apparatus, ask in your quote request.
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