Rodent Olfactometer
Rodent Olfactometer - Related Videos
08:36
Constructing an Olfactometer for Rodent Olfactory Behavior Studies
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Cited by 1 •
2025
This protocol describes the construction of an olfactometer for go/no-go olfactory behavior experiments. Step-by-step instructions, along with images, are provided to ensure the successful construction of the olfactometer. Information for troubleshooting issues encountered during the process is also included.
04:48
Four-Way Olfactometer Assay: A Method to Assess Odorant-Cued Responses in Drosophila
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2023
Fruit flies have a complex olfactory system, can discriminate hundreds of odorants, and use their sense of smell to direct behavioral decisions. This video describes the four-way olfactometer assay, a method to study olfactory behavioral responses in flies. The featured protocol clip shows how to handle test flies and what are critical steps while performing the assay.
08:52
Olfactory Behaviors Assayed by Computer Tracking Of Drosophila in a Four-quadrant Olfactometer
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Cited by 4 •
2016
We describe here a behavioral setup and data analysis method for assaying olfactory responses of up to 100 vinegar flies (Drosophila melanogaster). This system may be used with single or multiple olfactory stimuli, and adaptable for optogenetic activation or silencing of neuronal subsets.
14:12
Rodent Identification II
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2015
Source: Kay Stewart, RVT, RLATG, CMAR; Valerie A. Schroeder, RVT, RLATG. University of Notre Dame, IN Animal records must be accurately maintained to ensure that data collection is correct. Records range from maintaining information on cage cards to having a detailed database with all of the relevant information on each animal. The primary component of recordkeeping is the individual identification of research animals. There are a variety of methods suitable for identifying mice and rats. This...
01:34
Environmental Enrichment for Rodents
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2026
All animal procedures described here must be conducted in accordance with institutional animal ethics guidelines and approved by IACUC. All procedures must follow the principles of the 3Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement—and must be performed by trained personnel. Environmental enrichment involves objects and practices that encourage natural behaviors, improve psychological well-being, and promote better welfare in laboratory rodents. Environmental enrichment should be tailored to the...
FAQs
Airflow routing is central to how a rodent olfactometer separates odor effects from delivery artifacts. Filtered air passes through odor-containing and control chambers before reaching the test arena or ports. This arrangement lets investigators compare responses while controlling when and where each stimulus appears during testing.
Researchers can regulate stimulus identity, concentration, timing, and airflow. Controlling these variables helps distinguish a response to the odor itself from a response caused by inconsistent delivery conditions. Such control is especially important when comparing odor preferences, discrimination performance, or innate reactions across experimental trials.
Control chambers provide a comparison condition against odor-containing pathways. By presenting filtered air or a non-odor control through a comparable route, investigators can interpret investigation or choice behavior relative to the testing environment rather than treating every arena visit as an odor response. This supports more reproducible behavioral comparisons.
An experiment generally involves selecting odor and control conditions, directing filtered air through the relevant chambers, setting stimulus identity, concentration, timing, and airflow, and then presenting the outputs at an arena or ports. Investigators record the rodent’s investigation or choice behavior and compare responses across the controlled conditions.
Recorded investigation and choice behavior can support studies of odor preference and discrimination, as well as odor-related learning and memory. The same controlled presentations can also reveal innate responses. These outcomes help researchers examine whether rodents distinguish stimuli, favor one condition, or respond without prior learning.
The apparatus is useful when researchers need to connect sensory cues with navigation, social interaction, or decision-making. Its standardized delivery also supports comparisons across strains, developmental stages, and experimental conditions by reducing environmental variability. This makes it valuable for examining how olfactory information contributes to broader behavioral patterns.