Hole Board Test

The hole board test is also an experimental method used to measure anxiety, stress, liking and mood in animals, and has a wide range of applications in pharmacological research.

Our company provides customized hole board experimental test protocols and reliable data analysis results to meet the different demands of our customers in anti-anxiety drug screening and pharmacology studies. Our testing services have successfully provided effective research tools for pharmacological studies of psychiatric disorders.

Introduction of The Hole Board Test

The apparatus for the hole board test is an area surrounded by baffles to prevent escape, and the plates of the area are covered with holes. The experiment was established by the conflict between exploration and fear in rodents. The three performances, head dipping, rearing, and locomotion, were used to respond to the experimental animal's exploration of new environments and escape from fear. Head dipping is defined as the animal putting its head into the hole. Rearing is when the animal stands on its hind legs. Locomotion is the animal moving to a different area with all four paws.

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of the hole board test. (Takeda, 1998)

Experimental Flow

Our company insists on providing comprehensive and customized testing solutions for our clients. We can modify or design the experimental procedures according to the behavior the client wants to research. Here, we briefly describe the steps of the hole board test as an example of a general pharmacological study.

• The experimental animals were placed in the device and their exploration was observed and recorded for 5 min, and then they were removed.
• The experimental animals were injected with the tested drug and 30 minutes later each animal was placed in the center of the device.
• The experimental animals were allowed to explore freely in the device for 5 min, and their exploration was recorded.

Experimental Indexes

• Total locomotor activity.
• Number and duration of rearing.
• Number and duration of head-dipping.
• Latency to the first head-dip.

Our device is monitored by computer and have infrared beams. When the experimental animal sticks its head into the hole and blocks the infrared light, the device automatically records its number and duration. With our automated testing and recording device, we can provide our customers with efficient and reliable testing services.

Applications

Our company offers high quality hole board testing services that can help our customers save time and make progress in the following researches.

• Screening and general pharmacology of anti-anxiety drugs.
• Research of the nervous system and central excitability.
• Research on sexual inhibition.

Our company offers professional one-stop services from experimental design to results analysis to bring breakthroughs to your research. We guarantee on-time delivery of test results. If you need, you can contact us at any time.

Reference

1. Takeda, H.; et al. Changes in head-dipping behavior in the hole-board test reflect the anxiogenic and/or anxiolytic state in mice. European Journal of Pharmacology. 1998, 350 (1):21-29.