Anxiety – Distress Vocalization in Guinea Pigs, Rats and Mice
This test measures anxiety in pups, which is induced by separation from the mother and siblings. The measure (vocalizations of the isolated pups) is very sensitive to a variety of anxiolytic agents.
The benzodiazepine diazepam (2.5 – 10 mg/kg, i.p.) reduces the number of isolated guinea pig pup vocalizations.
Click here for more validation data.
Ultrasonic Vocalization in Rat Pups
Ultrasonic vocalizations are recorded under two temperature conditions (18°C and 37°C), reflecting both low- and high-stress states. The ultrasonic cries measure is sensitive to drugs with anxiolytic properties. This paradigm also distinguishes other drug classes, including antidepressants such as SSRIs.
The 5-HT1A receptor agonist buspirone (1 and 3 mg/kg), an anxiolytic, attenuates the number of distress calls under both temperature conditions.
The GABAA receptor agonist chlordiazepoxide (10 mg/kg), a benzodiazepine, attenuates the number of distress calls under both temperature conditions.
The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine (1 and 3 mg/kg) attenuates the number of distress calls under both temperature conditions.
Simultaneously, other measures (negative geotaxis and body temperature) can also be obtained.
