Characterization of walking locomotion in aged C57BL/10 mice: a comprehensive gait analysis

Abstract

Rodent gait analysis is crucial for modeling human aging, but the lack of comprehensive research on gait in elderly mice limits our ability to translate findings from animal models to human populations. Age-related changes in C57BL/10 strain remain unknown. The state of art protocol for gait analysis uses the CatWalk TM XT system that allows an understanding of the locomotion pattern by a variety of parameters. We aim to provide relevant information for experimental designs, presenting benchmark data on the performance of locomotion using healthy wild-type mice for future preclinical investigations of neurological and neuromuscular gait patterns. In this study, characterization of walking locomotion was demonstrated from complete gait analysis in aged C57BL/10ScCr/PasUnib mice using open-field, CatWalk, and treadmill tests. Mice were divided into the adult group (6 months; n = 9) and the aged group (20 months; n = 9). Aged mice demonstrated decreased mobility, distance traveled, and general speed in the open-field test. The spatiotemporal and kinetic parameters were altered in aged mice, with lower speed, higher stand time and stride length, and increased base of support and duty cycle in comparison with adult mice. Interlimb coordination has changed in elderly mice. To test whether speed alters the temporal parameters, we used a treadmill test and we demonstrated higher stand time in 20-month-old mice. We demonstrated that changes in gait parameters and mobility represent direct age-related singularities in the wild-type C57BL/10 mice. Overall, aged mice took more time in contact with the ground independently of the speed. These baseline gait results shed light on measures that allow the potential investigation of therapeutics and interventions in gerontology or neuromuscular diseases.