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Presentation
The Tail Suspension Test was described in the 80's by Steru & al. and allows for fast evaluation of drugs (anti-depressants,sedatives) psychotropic effects.

The measuring principle is based on the energy developed by a mouse trying to escape from its suspension. During the Tail Suspension Test, the movements of the mice are analyzed in terms of force, energy and power developed over time. As human observation is time consuming and tedious, Bioseb's Tail Suspension Test (TST) automates the entire experiment.

The Bioseb Tail Suspension Test instrument includes unique features such as the randomization process of the animals, the measurement of up to 6 animals in the same run, the direct computations of the "Immobility", the "ENERGY" and the "Power in Motion". Settings are available to adjust the definitions to user's protocol.The energy value is a unique way to differentiate between passive swinging and active struggling.

How does it works ?
Although alternative techniques, as video tracking, can be used to measure the "immobility" periods of the mice, the energy cannot be quantified in this way.The only way to quantify properly the energy, or the power, spent by the animal trying to escape, is the use of specific strain gauges.We offer a complete and easy to set up solution, including the hardware and the software with a sampling rate of up to 1000 Hz. Results are displayed in real time, and 2 levels of analysis are available in the system. Direct measurements are displayed for the 3 parameters (Immobility, Energy, Power in motion) and a second level opens access to the recorded raw data graphs and values for in depth analysis. As all experiments are recorded, they can be replayed at any time.

Specifications:
Running under windows XP for added reliability, the software is flexible for the researcher and user friendly : • Just one screen is needed to set up all the parameters (number of animals, thresholds, start of measuring period, end of measure ...).
• "Randomization" module to define the rank of the different "dosed" animals in their groups.
• During the test: Bargraph displays energy and realtime computation of results.
• Results: immobility time, energy value, power during the mobility period. They are displayed on graphs and numerical tables.
• Experiment directory is created automatically to store the different files relating to the experiment.
• Original Data files are saved and protected as GLP compatible.
• Results are either printed or stored in .at ocxls files formats.
• Replay of past experiments is always possible, allowing to test different parameters for the experhent.
• It is also possible to discard the result of a particular animal (for example if the subject falls down during the test), in such a case the traceability and the experiment would be secured.