2.7.2 Open-field test
Spontaneous exploration and locomotor activity were assessed in the open
field test (Seibenhener & Wooten, 2015).
A Plexiglas arena (50 x 50 cm and 38 cm high) was equipped with a video
tracking system (SMART 3, Panlab Harvard Apparatus, Spain) to monitor
animal activity. The arena was wiped with 75% ethanol before and after
each test to eliminate scents left by other mice. Mice were placed
individually in the center of the apparatus at the beginning of each
test and allowed to explore freely for 10 min. Total distance traveled,
mean travel speed, and number of center zone entries were determined by
the software.