Figure 2.
Novel Object Recognition Performance in Abx-Treated Mice Is Restored by Exercise and Probiotics
(A) Test procedure and apparatus are depicted in the graphic. After a familiarization phase of 10 min with two objects (e.g., cylinder and cube), one object is exchanged (e.g., bracket) and the mouse is tested after 1 min and again after 3 hr.
(B) We calculated the percentage of time spent with the novel object within a total of 1 min of contact with both objects. For the 1-min delay interval, all groups performed above chance and there were no group differences. For the 3-hr delay interval, the Abx-treated group and the Abx + SPF transplant group failed to perform as well as SPF naive (n = 12 per group; one-way ANOVA; F(7,84) = 27.95 p < 0.001). The Abx + run and Abx + probiotics performed similarly like the SPF naive group, and all groups performed above chance. However, there was no effect of voluntary exercise or probiotics when applied to the SPF naive group.