2.4 Environmental enrichment
Following weaning ArcKR and WT mice were exposed to an enriched
environment for 8-10 weeks. Mice were housed in larger cages (rat cages)
with increased numbers of littermates per cage on a 12:12 hour light and
dark cycle, with food and water ad libitum. Male and female mice were
kept in separate cages. The environment of the mice was further enriched
by the provision of a variety of toys including running wheels, tunnels,
small structures to hide in and mezzanines as described in
(Privitera et al. , 2020). Except
for the provision of running wheels, which were permanently available to
the mice, the selection and arrangement of toys was changed twice a week
to ensure continued enrichment. Mice were also provided with increased
amounts of nesting material to allow the expression of species typical
nest building behaviour. Mice were given sesame seeds which were
distributed around the cage to encourage foraging behaviour.