Lickometer (Vogel test) set-up for drinking-conflict experiments
The flexible rodent Lickometer - Vogel Test can operate as both a simple software-based lickometer as well as a system for drinking-conflict experiments (coupled with electric shocks). For assessing anxiety and the anxiolytic effect of drugs. Rat and mouse models. Easy data collection within the included software for windows. Up to 5 cages can be managed by 1 PC.
The Vogel Conflict Test is a conflict based experimental method primarily used in pharmacology. It is used to determine anxiolytic properties of drugs. It predicts drugs that can manage generalized anxiety disorders and acute anxiety states.
Suppressing behavior through punishment is commonly used to determine the anxiolytic properties of drugs. During the Vogel Test, animals receive electrical shocks when trying to get water. Therefore the number of times the animal goes to get water decreases. When anxiolytic drugs are injected, the number of times animals go up to get water increases, even though the animals are still punished.
Background of Vogel test
- In the Drinking-Conflict Vogel paradigm, a water-deprived animal is exposed to a lickometer, and licking events are coupled to electric shocks. The animal is in a motivationally conflicting situation; hence the licking behavior is affected by anxiety and anxiolytic drugs.
- The Drinking Conflict Vogel test usually consists of three phases:
- Initial wait (triggered by the first licking event)
- Shock phase (the sipper is electrified)
- No-shock phase (no shock is associated to drinking)
Easy control, flexible of lickometer test
- Choice to use chambers as a general lickometer (without any administration of shocks) or drinking-conflict system (with shocks).
- Easy data collection. Number and timing of licking events is recorded and graphically displayed for each phase of the experiment.
- Easy system control. User-friendly software manages the experimental configuration for each cage, collects and saves the experimental data, and also provides a detailed report. Data can be saved as .csv (spreadsheet/Excel) file and .rpt file (a proprietary format which can be opened within the Lickometer software).
- Time or Number of Licks can be used to determine alternation between shock and no-shock phase, according to the user experimental paradigm.
- The duration of each phase is user-defined based either on time or on the animal behavior (i.e. the sipper is electrified after a defined number of licking events have occurred).
- One shocker is required per cage (two-pole sine-wave shocker with adjustable shock intensity)
- Up to 5 animal cages can be managed. Mouse or rat cages.
Features&benefits of UGO Basile Vogel test
- Multi-chamber system: up to 5 Animal Chambers managed by 1 controller and software
- User friendly proprietary software included: for experiment configuration, data collection and test report
- 2-pole sine-wave shocker: adjustable shock intensity
- Versatile protocol management: can be used as Vogel Test or general lickometer
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- SET-UP FOR RATS - LICKOMETER & DRINKING-CONFLICT TEST
- 45100-001 5-channel electronic unit, including 45100-005 software
- 45100-002 Rat cage
- 45100-004 2-pole sine-wave shocker, single channel
- E-AU 041 USB pen-drive
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- SET-UP FOR MICE - LICKOMETER & DRINKING-CONFLICT TEST
- 45100-001 5-channel electronic unit, including 45100-005 software
- 45100-003 Mouse cage
- 45100-004 2-pole sine-wave shocker, single channel
- E-AU 041 USB pen-drive
- 5-MOUSE CAGE CONFIGURATION - LICKOMETER & DRINKING-CONFLICT TEST