{"Equipment":"
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tGrip strength meter apparatus
    2. \n\t
  2. \n\t\tBalance
    3. \n
\n","Procedure":"
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tSet up and use of grip strength meter:
    2. \n
\n
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tCheck the connection of the sensor to the grid is firmly in place to prevent the grid from turning around.
    2. \n\t
  2. \n\t\tTurn the sensor on and select peak mode, which will enable a measurement of the maximal strength exerted by the mouse – the default unit of force measured is delivered in grams. Do not apply loads greater than the nominal capacity of the force sensor at the risk of permanently damaging the strength gauge.
    3. \n\t
  3. \n\t\tReset the display sensor to zero.
    4. \n
\n

\n\t 

\n
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tGrip strength force:
    2. \n
\n
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tRemove a mouse from its home cage, gripping the base of the tail between the thumb and the forefinger.
    2. \n\t
  2. \n\t\tForelimb measurement: Lower the mouse over the grid keeping the torso horizontal and allowing only its forepaws to attach to the grid before any measurements are taken. Gently pull the mouse back by its tail ensuring the mouse grips the top portion of the grid and the torso remains horizontal and record the maximal grip strength value of the mouse that is displayed on the screen. Repeat this procedure twice more to obtain 3 forelimb grip strength measurements.
    3. \n\t
  3. \n\t\tForelimb and hindlimb measurement: Lower the mouse over the grid keeping the torso parallel with the grid and allow both its forepaws and hind paws to attach to the grid before any measurements are taken. Gently pull the mouse back by its tail ensuring the torso remains parallel with the grid and record the maximal grip strength value of the mouse that is displayed on the screen. Repeat this procedure twice more to obtain 3 forelimb/hindlimb grip strength measurements.
    4. \n\t
  4. \n\t\tPlace the mouse on the balance and record the weight of the mouse.
    5. \n\t
  5. \n\t\tMake a note of any further observations found during the test e.g. failure to grip the grid.
    6. \n\t
  6. \n\t\tPlace the mouse back in its home cage.
    7. \n
\n

\n\t 

\n
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tClean the grid with ethanol (50%) and allow time to dry before testing each cage of mice.
    2. \n
\n","Purpose":"

\n\tThe grip strength test is used to measure the neuromuscular function as maximal muscle strength of forelimbs and combined forelimbs and hind limbs. These are assessed by the grasping applied by the mouse on a grid that is connected to a sensor. Three trials are carried out in succession measuring forelimb-strength only, followed by three successive trials measuring the combined forelimb/hindlimb grip strength. All grip strength values obtained are normalized against mouse body weight.

\n

\n\tOntological description: MP:0001515 - abnormal grip strength.

\n","Experimental Design":"

\n\tAge of animal: 13 and 66 weeks.

\n

\n\tSexual dimorphism: Yes.

\n","Notes":"

\n\tMice with missing digits (e.g. after toe clipping) should be omitted from this test. Behavioural parameters may be influenced by circadian rhythm therefore testing should be routinely carried out around the same time of day to obtain balanced and valid results. Avoid testing immediately after light-dark transition as behavioural outcome may be affected.

\n

\n\tData QC

\n
    \n\t
  1. \n\t\tCalibrate the grip strength meter in accordance with the equipment guidelines.
    2. \n\t
  2. \n\t\tThe force sensor is fragile and should never be overloaded.
    3. \n
\n

\n\tMetadata and examples

\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tMetadata

\n\t\t\t		\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tExample

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tEquipment ID

\n\t\t\t		\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tID of the machine used when more than 1 is used  having same model and manufacturer. E.g. machine 1, machine 2, machine Minnie, machine Mickey Mouse, etc.

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tEquipment manufacturer

\n\t\t\t		\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tManufacturer of the equipment. E.g. Bioseb.

\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\tEquipment model

\n\t\t\t		\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tModel of the equipment. E.g. BIO-GT3+MR

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tGrid model

\n\t\t\t		\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tModel of the grid. E.g. HMGU manufactured grid with only horizontal bars.

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tExperimenter ID

\n\t\t\t		\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tAn ID of any format to be used coherently both inside the same procedure and for all procedures. E.g. Harw_001, or 1/2/3.

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tDate equipment last calibrated

\n\t\t\t		\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\tMost recent date in which the equipment (or any part of) used in the procedure was subject to a calibration event.

\n\t\t\t
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\n\t 
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