Literature Review: The Effects of Cage Change and Nesting Material Transfer on the Behavior of Male C57BL/6 Mice Based on AI Video Monitoring
Release time:
2026-03-13
In laboratory animal research, cage change, as a routine husbandry procedure, has significant psychological and physiological effects on mice. Recent studies indicate that environmental disruption caused by cage change leads to stress responses in laboratory animals, consequently affecting the reproducibility of experimental data and the scientific validity of research findings. Based on the latest research data, this review summarizes the application of Home Cage Monitoring (HCM) technology in assessing the impact of cage change on the behavior of C57BL/6 mice and explores the effect of transferring old nesting material on alleviating associated stress.
Introduction and Experimental Techniques
Traditional behavioral observations in laboratory animals have often been limited by human interference and observer bias. With the popularization of automated Home Cage Monitoring (HCM) technology, researchers can now achieve continuous and objective monitoring of laboratory animals through digital means. In this study, the researchers utilized the Digital Online Monitoring Equipment (DOME) cage top provided by Olden Labs. This technology leverages computer vision and machine learning algorithms to automatically and uninterruptedly measure various digital indicators, including feeding, drinking, aggression, and sleep frequency, thereby acquiring high-quality behavioral data without the need for human intervention.
Short-term and Long-term Effects of Cage Change on Mouse Behavior
The study quantified behavioral changes following cage change through continuous monitoring of 40 male C57BL/6 mice. The experimental results confirmed that cage change indeed induced significant short-term behavioral alterations in the mice. Within two hours post-change, drinking and feeding behaviors increased significantly, while sleep time was markedly reduced. In the long term, these effects persisted for several days, manifested as an increase in total movement distance, a higher frequency of rearing behavior, and ongoing disturbances in sleep patterns. These behavioral changes underscore the necessity of accounting for the potential confounding effects of routine husbandry procedures on experimental variables in study designs.
Assessment of the Impact of Nesting Material Transfer on Behavior
To explore strategies for reducing stress, the study investigated the role of transferring old nesting material (Nest Transfer) in mitigating the negative effects of cage change. Previous research on BALB/c mice suggested that transferring old nesting material might help reduce aggression. However, the results of this study on C57BL/6 mice showed that, after comparing a control group (provided with only new nesting material) and an experimental group (provided with a mix of new and old nesting material), there were no statistically significant differences in the vast majority of digital behavioral indicators.
Conclusion and Research Significance
This review, leveraging the precise data provided by DOME technology, reveals that cage change induces behavioral effects in C57BL/6 mice lasting for several days, and that the transfer of nesting material shows limited efficacy in mitigating this stress. The DOME system by Olden Labs not only enhances the reproducibility of behavioral data but also provides a powerful tool for assessing laboratory animal welfare. For researchers, it is crucial to recognize the baseline behavioral fluctuations caused by cage change. This understanding not only aids in optimizing husbandry practices but also provides a scientific basis for improving experimental design quality and reducing inter-individual variability. Future research should further investigate the behavioral responses of different strains and specific experimental models (e.g., post-surgical models) to such environmental disturbances, aiming for a more comprehensive understanding of the stress mechanisms in laboratory animals.
Author： Nicole Kizielewicz, DVM，Denise Molk, VMD, DACLAM，Jennifer Camacho, LVT, CMAR, AAB-UW，Deni Thuman, BS, ALAT，Corinna Beale, DVM, SRS, DACLAM
Publication Information： Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (JAALAS)，Online Publication Date: 2026年1月30日
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