Light sampling behaviour regulates circadian entrainment in mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The natural light environment is far more complex than that experienced by animals under laboratory conditions. As a burrowing species, wild mice are able to self-modulate their light exposure, a concept known as light environment sampling behaviour. By contrast, under laboratory conditions mice have little opportunity to exhibit this behaviour. To address this issue, here we introduce a simple nestbox paradigm to allow mice to self-modulate their light environment. Dark nestboxes fitted with passive infrared sensors were used to monitor locomotor activity, circadian entrainment, decision making and light environment sampling behaviour.

Results

Under these conditions, mice significantly reduce their light exposure to an average of just 0.8 h across a 24 h period.

SUBMITTER: Steel LCE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11404008 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature