Hello there,
Before I begin my experiments, I would like to make sure all my mice in my experiment have proper vision and hearing. However the only test I know that would work is administering a startle reflex test at a really low interval. I do not know any tests to check if mice can see.
If anyone knows other basic reflex tests I am open to all help.
Thank you
Erika
Using an auditory brainstem response could be a good strategy to assess your mice's hearing abilities in a relatively easy way.
We've been using a Morris Water maze with visible platform to test vision in rats. I think it should also work for mice.
Basically we give the rat 3 trials for finding the platform on 3 days (1 habituation and 2 testing, I think, but I can check the exact protocol for you). Each trial starts at a different position in the maze.
Rats with good vision swim more or less straight to the platform and reach it within a very short time; rats with bad vision don't find the platform, or they get lucky and bump into it. It's a pretty effective way to test for vision that does not require a lot of training.