Doppler radar device as a useful tool to quantify the liveliness of the experimental animal.

The Doppler radar device which is described here is shown to be a reliable and accurate device to quantify the liveliness of an experimental rat. During recording the animal did not seem to be disturbed in any way by the device. It could stay in its normal cage, move freely, walk around and eat and drink ad libitum. Measurement did not require extra light, sound or other stimuli. Interpretation of the data was easy. The computer which samples the Doppler radar output signal generates activity curves which were easily interpreted for different ranges of vitality, varying between high liveliness and apnoea or cardiac arrest. The apparatus is low priced, and simple to build and use.