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A method for the routine assessment of fore- and hindlimb grip strength of rats and mice.
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1979
Year
Mammalian PhysiologyPsychopharmacologyRoutine AssessmentRodent EcologyMotor ControlRodent PhysiologyExperimental PharmacologyLocomotor PerformanceSocial SciencesPhysiological ResearchPharmacological StudyBiomechanicsApplied PhysiologyGrip StrengthRodent ManagementHealth SciencesAnimal PhysiologyMechanobiologyBehavioral NeuroscienceAdult Fisher StrainNeuropharmacologyRehabilitationPhysiologyExercise PhysiologyFisher RatsHindlimb Grip StrengthHuman Movement
The study presents a method for measuring fore‑ and hindlimb grip strength in rats and mice. The method employs inexpensive, rapid equipment to record continuous grip strength data and was validated by testing phenobarbital and chlordiazepoxide effects in adult Fisher and Sprague‑Dawley rats. Dose‑dependent reductions in grip strength were seen in both rat strains, with lower inter‑animal variability in Fisher rats, indicating the method’s utility for neuromotor research.
A technique to measure the fore-and hindlimb grip strength of rats (adult and preweanling) and mice is described. the procedure utilizes inexpensive equipment, is rapid and efficient, and provides continuous level data. As a means of validating the sensitivity of the test, the effects of phenobarbital and chlordiazepoxide on the grip strength of adult Fisher strain and Sprague-Dawley derived adult rats were investigated. Dose-related decreases in fore- and hindlimb grip scores were observed in both strain of rats. The interanimal variability in this test was less in Fisher rats than in Sprague-Dawleys. The technique appears to have a great deal of potential in studies concerning the neuromotor effects of environmental and psychopharmacological agents.