Automated recording of home cage activity and temperature of individual rats housed in social groups: The Rodent Big Brother project

• Published in: PloS one 2017-09, Vol.12 (9), p.e0181068
• Main Authors: Redfern, William S, Tse, Karen, Grant, Claire, Keerie, Amy, Simpson, David J, Pedersen, John C, Rimmer, Victoria, Leslie, Lauren, Klein, Stephanie K, Karp, Natasha A, Sillito, Rowland, Chartsias, Agis, Lukins, Tim, Heward, James, Vickers, Catherine, Chapman, Kathryn, Armstrong, J Douglas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Animal behavior; Animal models; Animals; Antennae; Automation; Behavior, Animal; Biocompatibility; Biology; Biology and Life Sciences; Body temperature; Brain research; Cages; Circadian rhythms; College campuses; Data acquisition; Engineering and Technology; Environmental monitoring; Housing; Housing, Animal; Implants, Experimental; Infrared cameras; Laboratory animals; Male; Medicine and Health Sciences; Metabolism; Movement; Pharmacology; Physical Sciences; Physiological aspects; Physiology; Product safety; R&D; Radio frequency; Radio frequency identification; Radio Frequency Identification Device; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reproducibility of Results; Research & development; Research and Analysis Methods; RFID equipment; Rodents; Semiconductors; Social Behavior; Statistical methods; Temperature; Temperature data; Temperature effects; Temperature requirements; Time Factors; Toxicity; Toxicology; Video Recording - methods
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181068

Measuring the activity and temperature of rats is commonly required in biomedical research. Conventional approaches necessitate single housing, which affects their behavior and wellbeing. We have used a subcutaneous radiofrequency identification (RFID) transponder to measure ambulatory activity and temperature of individual rats when group-housed in conventional, rack-mounted home cages. The transponder location and temperature is detected by a matrix of antennae in a baseplate under the cage. An infrared high-definition camera acquires side-view video of the cage and also enables automated detection of vertical activity. Validation studies showed that baseplate-derived ambulatory activity correlated well with manual tracking and with side-view whole-cage video pixel movement. This technology enables individual behavioral and temperature data to be acquired continuously from group-housed rats in their familiar, home cage environment. We demonstrate its ability to reliably detect naturally occurring behavioral effects, extending beyond the capabilities of routine observational tests and conventional monitoring equipment. It has numerous potential applications including safety pharmacology, toxicology, circadian biology, disease models and drug discovery.