ACTOPHOTOMETER - Standard Operating Procedure

Actophotometer is an instrument used to measure and analyse various aspects of locomotor activity in rodents.

1. ACTOPHOTOMETER STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Dr. Anie Jacob, Junior Resident – 1, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow.

2. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PRINCIPLE EQUIPMENT MEASUREMENT PARAMETERS PHARMACOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS PRECAUTIONS PROCEDURE COMMONLY USED DRUGS OBSERVATION INFERENCE REFERENCES

3. INTRODUCTION Actophotometer - an instrument used to measure the activity and behaviour of laboratory animals, particularly rodents, in response to pharmacological interventions or other stimuli Q uantify and analyze various aspects of animal locomotor activity

4. PRINCIPLE Locomotor activities in animals are influenced by CNS acting drugs CNS depressants reduce motor activity, while stimulants - increase

5. EQUIPMENT Activity cage – Arena, grid floor Photo sensors Tray Control panel- Control switch & indicator 4-digit digital counter Reset button Shock button, meter & indicator

6. 4-digit digital counter - indicates the locomotor activity Measures both spontaneous and induced locomotor activity Operates on photoelectric cells which are connected in circuit with a counter.

7. Light source is on one side of the cage and the receiver - opposite side Interruption of the light beam by the animal triggers a count Incorporates an electric shock of up to 100 volts for activating

8. MEASUREMENT PARAMETERS Locomotor Activity E xploration and Resting B ehaviour Stereotypical Behaviour A nxiety and Fear Response

9. PHARMACOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS Pharmacology Research E valuate the effects of drugs E xperimental interventions on animal behavio u r and locomotor activity

10. PRECAUTIONS Keep the instrument clean & dry Do not the handle the instrument with wet hands Do not touch the grill when the shock strength is on Handle the Perspex box carefully

11. PROCEDURE Weigh the animals (rat/mouse) & number them(6) ↓ Turn on the equipment ↓ Check & make sure that all the photo cells are working for accurate recording

12. PROCEDURE Place each animal individually in the activity cage for 10 minutes Note the basal activity score of each ↓ Inject the test drug and after 30 mins re-test each animal for activity scores for 10 mins

13. PROCEDURE Note the difference in the activity, before & after the drug Calculate percent change in motor activity Reset button - used after each animal Electric shock - animal does not move from one place for a long time

14. COMMONLY USED DRUGS CNS depressants : Chlorpromazine hydrochloride (3 mg/kg, ip ) Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, ip ) Imipramine (10-20 mg/kg, ip ) Phenobarbitone sodium (10 mg/kg, ip ) Alcohol (0.5-2 g, ip , po)

15. COMMONLY USED DRUGS CNS stimulants : Caffeine (8-10 mg/kg, ip - mice & 30 mg/kg, ip - rats) Amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg, ip - mice & 3-5 mg/kg, sc , ip - rats)

16. OBSERVATIONS Record - Sl. No. Weight (gm) Drug dose (mg/kg) Locomotor activity scores for 10 min - basal Locomotor activity sores for 10 min after treatment. Percentage change in locomotor activity 1 2 3 4 5 6

17. INFERENCE Reduction in motor activity indicates CNS depressant properties of the drug. Increase in motor activity indicates CNS stimulant properties of the drug.

18. REFERENCES Pharmacy Infoline. Effects of drugs on locomotor activity using actophotometer [ pharmacyinfoline ]. [2022]. Available from: https://www.bing.com/search?q=pharmacy+infoline+actophotometer Orchid Scientific & Innovative India Pvt Ltd. - Actophotometer book manual.

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