Cage Migration and Memory: Investigating the Impact of Varied Cage Sizes on Memory Function in Swiss Mice
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Diverse cage sizes have been implicated in the alteration of pain
sensitivity and inflammation parameters in animal-based experiments. Sparse information is available
on the effect of exposure to different cage sizes on memory in animal studies. This study thus aimed to
investigate the effect of varied cage size exposure on memory.
METHODOLOGY: Twelve adult male Swiss mice (29-34 g) divided into two groups (n=6) were used
for this study, comprising a Control group (stationary cage) and a Test group (migrated cage). The cage migrated mice were exposed daily to various cage sizes typically used in Nigerian laboratories for 30
days. In contrast, the cage-stationed mice were daily exposed to new but the same size and shape cage.
After 30 days of exposure, memory functions were assessed in the animals using memory-related
behavioural paradigms (such as novel object recognition test), acetylcholinesterase activity and
histological evaluation.
RESULTS: The results showed no significant difference in the recognition and spatial memory of cage migrated animals compared to its cage stationed counterparts. The brain acetylcholinesterase activity
significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in cage-migrated mice compared to cage-stationed animals but there
was no difference in plasma acetylcholinesterase activity in both groups. Also, histological evaluation
of all regions of the hippocampus in both groups of animals did not show any significant difference.
Though cornu ammonis regions appeared to be enlarged in cage migrated animals compared to cage
stationed.
CONCLUSION: Repeated exposure of experimental mice to varied cage sizes could selectively
decrease brain acetylcholinesterase activity without affecting the animals’ memory
Description
Keywords
cage, memory, hippocampus, acetylcholinesterase
Citation
Oyewole, A.L., Ishola S.S., Oyafemi K.O., Badmus K.S., Omoleye J.O., Abubakar M.F., Adeniyi-Raheem O., Amedu A., Lawal D.L., Ijiyode A.O., Yussuf A.O., Yakub Y.O., Ogunjimi G.L., Sulaimon F.A. (2024): Cage migration and memory: Investigating the impact of varied cage sizes on memory function in Swiss mice. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy, 21(1), 1-7. Published by the Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria. Available online at https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jeca/issue/view/24246