Dear Héctor González-Pardo , I think it really depends on what you want:

- Is it going to be an single experiment, that you would like to keep as simple as possible.

- You would want to perform this test for multiple cohorts, with large animal numbers, maybe a paradigm that could be semi-automated would be nice.

I will add two papers. One has a very simple and quick manual test that includes water depreviation and an one hour test (after which you will have to measure the water and sucrose consumption manually) and a paradigm (which I worked with myself, so here i have a bit more knowledge) that is semi-automated and for measuring of sucrose preference works really nicely (I have to say to original paradigm involves a lot more testing, but one could just apply it untill the sucrose preference test). I hope I was able to help you a little!

Kind regards,

Felicia Joy

Thanks for your help. I think I will use the manual quick test at this moment. Very useful!

Best regards,

Hector

Hello,

I suggest sucrose splash test. You can perform it in 5 minute.

Thanks

Thanks, I have watched it in YouTube. Do you have a detailed protocol, please?

Splash Test

The splash test, performed under a red light (230 V, 15 W), consists of squirting a 10% sucrose solution on the dorsal coat of a mouse in its home cage. Because of its viscosity, the sucrose solution dirties the mouse fur and animals initiate grooming behaviour. After applying sucrose solution, the time spent grooming was recorded for a period of 5 minutes as an index of self-care and motivational behaviour.

Thanks. Do you have any published reference using it?