背景:恒河猴在视觉研究中的使用至关重要,因为它们的视觉系统与人类相似。虽然侵入性技术已经成为常态,已经转向非侵入性方法,如面罩和头模,以提高动物福利和解决伦理问题。
方法:我们提出了一种非侵入性,带有红外传感器的3D打印chinrest,改编自犬类研究,允许准确的眼动测量和动物自愿参与实验。
结果:chinrest方法显示,猴子1和猴子2的平均试验数量分别增加了16%和28%,与传统的顶岗方法相比。订婚程度很高,猴子每个疗程进行500多次试验,并在平均试验间隔约1秒后开始新的试验。猴子1在最低状态下的命中率提高了约10%,和固定精度,用凝视位置的标准偏差来衡量,在中国大陆的情况下明显更好,猴子1在X轴上的固定不精确性从0.26°降低到0.17°。
方法:chinrest方法显示,由于固定断裂,试验参与度和中止试验的减少显着改善,表明与以前的非侵入性方法相比,压力更小,数据质量可能得到改善。
结论:chinrest方法通过允许精确的数据收集,同时解决动物福利问题,在灵长类动物认知测试中取得了重大进展。可能导致更好的科学成果和灵长类动物研究方法的范式转变。
BACKGROUND: The use of Rhesus macaques in vision research is crucial due to their visual system\'s similarity to humans. While invasive techniques have been the norm, there has been a shift towards non-invasive methods, such as facemasks and head molds, to enhance animal welfare and address ethical concerns.
METHODS: We present a non-invasive, 3D-printed chinrest with infrared sensors, adapted from canine research, allowing for accurate eye movement measurements and voluntary animal participation in experiments.
RESULTS: The chinrest method showed a 16% and 28% increase in average trial numbers for Monkey 1 and Monkey 2, respectively, compared to the traditional headpost method. The engagement was high, with monkeys performing over 500 trials per session and initiating a new trial after an average intertrial interval of approximately 1 second. The hit rate improved by about 10% for Monkey 1 in the chinrest condition, and the fixation precision, measured by the standard deviation of gaze positions, was significantly better in the chinrest condition, with Monkey 1 showing a reduction in fixation imprecision from 0.26° to 0.17° in the X-axis.
METHODS: The chinrest approach showed significant improvements in trial engagement and reduction in aborted trials due to fixation breaks, indicating less stress and potentially improved data quality compared to previous non-invasive methods.
CONCLUSIONS: The chinrest method offers a significant advancement in primate cognitive testing by allowing for precise data collection while addressing animal welfare concerns, possibly leading to better scientific outcomes and a paradigm shift in primate research methodologies.