Catwalk footprint analysis system xt 10.6

Gait analysis was performed 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after transplantation to assess the recovery of motor function. A CatWalk footprint analysis system (XT 10.6; Noldus) was used to collect footprints, and the assessment process was as follows. Rats in each group were placed on the walkway floor; when the paws touched the glass floor, the dynamic properties changed due to the pressure, and fluorescence escaped internal reflectance. Thus, only the contact area of the paws was visible and the footprint appeared brighter when the paws provided more pressure. When the rat entered a 40 × 10 cm field on the walkway, the run was captured by a video camera underneath the walkway floor. The run was approved if the rat passed the monitored field within 5 s and the speed showed less than 50% variation. At least three approved runs were needed for each group per time point for the analysis. All acquired data were processed in a semiautomated manner using the Noldus Catwalk analysis software, which required manual definition of the limb (LH = left hind, RH = right hind) from the recorded run. The sciatic functional index (SFI) and stand/swing time ratio of each rat were calculated using CatWalk XT 10.6 according to the measurement results.

Gait analysis was performed at 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after transplantation to evaluate the recovery of sciatic nerve function. Briefly, footprints were collected from each group using a CatWalk footprint analysis system (XT 10.6; Noldus). At least three approved runs were required for each rat in each group for each time point in the analysis. Sciatic nerve function index (SFI) was obtained using Noldus Catwalk Analysis software.