Thermal Gradient Test 2.0

Presentation

Thermal Gradient Test: Software screenshot

Bioseb’s operator-independant Thermal Gradient Test is a preferred analgesia/nociceptive research instrument to show favorite temperature and thermal comfort threshold on rodents (mouse and rat) freely moving on a long plate offering a stable temperature gradient.

 
As advised by A. MOQRICH, and published in Moqrich et al (Science 2005, 307: 1468-72), the Thermal Gradient Test, like the Thermal Place Preference test, allows researchers to work on unrestrained animals (mice and rats) let free to choose their preferred position (comfort zone) within a continuous temperature gradient. This gradient spans between two programmable temperatures and is established across the base plate of a 120 cm long corridor. The BIO-GRADIENT2 from Bioseb can be used in a wide range of studies to investigate the mechanisms underlying thermal perception and pain. This includes studies on the role of different sensory receptors and ion channels in thermal sensitivity, behavioral thermoregulation, as well as on thermal nociceptive responses. The BIO-GRADIENT2 can also been used to study the effects of different drugs and genetic manipulations on thermal sensitivity and nociceptive responses in rodents.

The Thermal Gradient Test, unlike the cold/hot plate test, is one of the very few thermal nociception tests to be operator-independant on freely moving rodents (mice and rat). The Thermal Gradient Test will return a thermal preference response without any action from the operator.  The value obtained is a temperature range corresponding to the comfort zone of the animal (rat or mouse), revealing the animal’s sensitivity in response to exposure to different stimulations (cold or heat), in a single probe session.

Bioseb’s Thermal Gradient Test software has been redesigned with enhanced function and user experience. Now, you can control the plate temperatures directly from the software, easily set up your protocol with clickthrough guides and video feedbacks and enjoy automated calculation of several parameters related to comfort zone and hot/cold sensitivity.

The BIO-GRADIENT2 is ideal for your research on analgesia and nociception, and especially suitable for studies on allodynia or hyperalgesia.

Operating principle

Simply enter the target temperatures in the software, and let the heat transfer properties of the floor ensure a continuous & stable temperature gradient, reaching up to 5 to 55°C (0 to 59°C under optimized room conditions) over a 120cm metal corridor.

Up to 22 virtual zones and lanes (1 for Rats, 2 for Mice) can be defined in the software for analysis. A supplied thermometer is then used to verify the exact temperature of each zone.

Animals are then placed on the corridor and are free to walk in an unrestrained manner. Voluntary rodent position is recorded by video tracking for complete operator-independent acquisition.

New functionalities of the BIO-GRADIENT2 Software

• State-of-the-art software
• Software-controlled min/max temp.
• Protocol creation and recording
• Video-assisted tool for manual temperature verification
• Management of Subject lists
• Advanced video tracking with adjustable settings for each lane
• Output: Time spent in each zone