Operant Response Devices:
Standard Nose Poke versus Nose Poke Response Key

The standard nose poke operandum is quickly becoming a staple fixture in rodent operant conditioning chambers. Med Associates offers a broad selection of both conventional nose poke response units and our newer nose poke response key devices.

The conventional nose poke features a recessed well that has either one or three cue lights on the back surface. To perform a response, an animal must insert its head into the recessed well and trip a photo-beam. In the process of performing a response, the animal receives some tactile feedback as its vibrissae come in contact with the walls of the nose-poke receptacle.

However, many researchers feel that standard nose poke devices could be improved upon to provide more tactile feedback to facilitate the shaping and learning process. Thus, we have developed a novel nose poke that is modeled after our classic line of pigeon response keys. The new Rodent Response Keys provide an alternative response device for users wanting the basic characteristics of a standard nose poke-type operandum but with more tactile feedback.

Distinguishing Features

Conventional Nose Poke Available with either a single or a triple cue light Can be equipped for delivery of olfactory cues Suitable for incorporation into 5- or 9-hole nose poke walls for tasks such as Delayed Match To Sample or other serial reaction tasks Available Devices ENV-114M: 1” diameter access hole, triple color LED stimulus lights (red, green, yellow); fits rat chambers (e.g. ENV-007, ENV-008) ENV-114AM: 1” diameter access hole, no stimulus light; fits rat chambers (e.g. ENV-007, ENV-008) ENV-114BM: 1” diameter access hole, single yellow stimulus light; fits rat chambers (e.g. ENV-007, ENV-008) ENV-313M: ½” diameter access hole, single yellow stimulus light; fits ENV-307A mouse chambers ENV-314M: ½” diameter access hole, triple color LED stimulus lights (red, green, yellow); fits ENV-307A mouse chambers ENV-313W: ½” diameter access hole, single yellow stimulus light; fits ENV-307W mouse chambers ENV-314W: ½” diameter access hole, ENV-115A: five hole nose poke wall for rat ENV-007 chambers; each nose poke is 1” square and has single yellow stimulus light ENV-115C: five hole nose poke wall for mouse ENV-307W chambers; each nose poke is ½” diameter and has a single yellow stimulus light ENV-NPW-9L: nine hole nose poke wall for rats; comes installed in a customized 10.25” square rat chamber; each nose poke is 1” square and has a single yellow stimulus light ENV-NPW-9M: nine hole nose poke wall for mouse; comes installed in a customized 7.375” square mouse chamber; each nose poke is 0.5” diameter and has a single yellow stimulus light

Rodent Nose Poke Response Keys Can be backlit to provide a diffuse stimulus light Provides distinct force-related tactile feedback that may facilitate shaping and learning Available Devices ENV-316M: 5/8” diameter response key, yellow backlight; fits ENV-307A mouse chambers ENV-316W: 5/8” diameter response key, yellow backlight; fits ENV-307W mouse chambers ENV-119M-1: 1” diameter response key, yellow backlight; fits standard rat chambers (e.g. ENV-007, ENV-008, ENV-009) ENV-119M-2: 2” diameter response key, yellow backlight; fits standard rat chambers (e.g. ENV-007, ENV-008, ENV-009)