<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>A broad spectrum of research involving stress and stress protocols has long proven that a point of anhedonia, social defeat and learned helplessness can be achieved and observed – with anhedonia being a clinical symptom of Anxiety, Depression and Bipolar Affective Disorder. The aim of this study is the development of a simplified protocol for anhedonia induction in NMRI male mice in order to shorten the period of mice suffering and decrease complexity of the procedure for other researchers and introduction of new parameter in order to achieve better standardization of results. 21 male NMRI mice were introduced to 2 different stress protocols (one found in literature and one simplified) where cognitive- behavioral status was tested using the Sucrose Preference Test, Open Field Test, Grooming Pattern and histological examination of adrenal glands, and to propose a new protocol for fellow researchers. Results observed include the successful induction of anhedonia proven by Sucrose Preference Tests, Barbering effect and microhemorrhage of the adrenal glands. Simplified protocol showed superiority compared to the one found in literature. Simplified protocol showed higher efficiency and reduced amount of work during testing phase. Introduction of NMI as a new parameter during behavioral evaluation resulted in better standardization of measured SPT values that incorporates common knowledge of mammal physiology. A big developmental step was the introduction of the Normalised Mass Index to even out mass fluctuations and differences in basal metabolism, which we recommend to other researchers and institutions.</p>
</abstract>

A broad spectrum of research involving stress and stress protocols has long proven that a point of anhedonia, social defeat and learned helplessness can be achieved and observed – with anhedonia being a clinical symptom of Anxiety, Depression and Bipolar Affective Disorder. The aim of this study is the development of a simplified protocol for anhedonia induction in NMRI male mice in order to shorten the period of mice suffering and decrease complexity of the procedure for other researchers and introduction of new parameter in order to achieve better standardization of results. 21 male NMRI mice were introduced to 2 different stress protocols (one found in literature and one simplified) where cognitive- behavioral status was tested using the Sucrose Preference Test, Open Field Test, Grooming Pattern and histological examination of adrenal glands, and to propose a new protocol for fellow researchers. Results observed include the successful induction of anhedonia proven by Sucrose Preference Tests, Barbering effect and microhemorrhage of the adrenal glands. Simplified protocol showed superiority compared to the one found in literature. Simplified protocol showed higher efficiency and reduced amount of work during testing phase. Introduction of NMI as a new parameter during behavioral evaluation resulted in better standardization of measured SPT values that incorporates common knowledge of mammal physiology. A big developmental step was the introduction of the Normalised Mass Index to even out mass fluctuations and differences in basal metabolism, which we recommend to other researchers and institutions.

Proposition of a Simplified Protocol and New Parameter Introduction in NMRI Mice Anhedonia Induction

University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Philosophy

Experimental and Applied Biomedical Research (EABR)

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

A broad spectrum of research involving stress and stress protocols has long proven that a point of anhedonia, social defeat and learned helplessness can be...

Proposition of a Simplified Protocol and New Parameter Introduction in NMRI Mice Anhedonia Induction

Published Online: Jun 20, 2023

Page range: 115 - 124

Received: Dec 11, 2019

Accepted: Apr 30, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjecr-2020-0021

Keywords
Chronic stress protocol, anhedonia, anxiety, depression, NMRI mice

© 2023 Elsa Fedrigolli et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Proposition of a Simplified Protocol and New Parameter Introduction in NMRI Mice Anhedonia Induction

Published Online: Jun 20, 2023

Page range: 115 - 124

Received: Dec 11, 2019

Accepted: Apr 30, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/sjecr-2020-0021

KeywordsChronic stress protocol, anhedonia, anxiety, depression, NMRI mice

© 2023 Elsa Fedrigolli et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Chronic stress protocol, anhedonia, anxiety, depression, NMRI mice