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Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) animal model

Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) animal model

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Depression
Psychiatric & neurological disease models

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Model Introduction

Model Introduction

Platform Service Advantages

Platform Service Advantages

Experimental results

Experimental results

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Depression

Introduction to the CUMS Mouse Model

Depression is a common mental disorder whose principal clinical features include anhedonia, reduced motivation, cognitive deficits, and depressed mood. Genetic factors account for approximately 40% of depressive cases, with the remainder attributable to environmental influences. Chronic stress responses triggered by adverse environmental factors can mediate the development of depression. To better elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of depression and to identify therapeutic strategies, it is essential to establish an effective animal model of the disorder. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model in mice is currently one of the most widely used models.

Advantages of Aniphe BioLab’s CUMS Mouse Model Platform Services

Aniphe BioLab has established a well‑validated CUMS mouse model platform, leveraging standardized modeling protocols, rigorous quality control, and a comprehensive assay system to ensure the reliability of experimental data and support research in mental health and metabolic disorders.

Comprehensive model coverage

The modeling system is well-established.

The chronic unpredictable mild stress paradigm can precisely replicate pathological states such as depression and emotional dysregulation.

Standardization of the modeling process

The model has high stability.

Animal behavior and physiological phenotypes exhibit high homogeneity, with minimal inter-batch variability, ensuring strong experimental reproducibility.

Multidimensional Evaluation System

Standardized quality control throughout the entire process

Adhere strictly to standardized operating procedures, ensuring that the intensity, duration, and environmental conditions of stressors are fully controllable throughout the entire process.

Adaptable to multi-cycle studies

Multidimensional evaluation system

Comprehensive assessments of the model and drug efficacy are conducted through a suite of behavioral, biochemical, and pathological assays.

Standardization of Data Delivery

Flexible Customization Services

The stress regimen and modeling cycle can be adjusted according to experimental requirements, enabling compatibility with various research protocols.

Standardization of Data Delivery

Efficient Project Delivery

A dedicated team handles model preparation and sample analysis, ensuring the steady progress of research projects.

Modeling cycle

4–6 weeks

1  Laboratory animals

C57BL/6J male mice

1  Positive drug

Common antidepressant drugs such as fluoxetine, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine are used as positive controls in the CUMS model and can significantly ameliorate mood and behavioral abnormalities in the model animals.

1  Application areas

The model is widely employed in research on the pathophysiology of depression, as well as in studies related to neuroendocrinology and neurotransmitters. It also supports the development of novel antidepressant drugs, the evaluation of their efficacy and safety, the screening of bioactive compounds from natural sources, and preclinical validation of various psychological intervention strategies.

Experimental results

Construction of the CUMS animal model

1. 1-hour foot shock (each at 1 mA, lasting 1–10 seconds, administered on average once per minute), 24-hour food deprivation, 5-minute swim in 4°C cold water, 24-hour water deprivation, reversed day–night cycle, wet bedding for 24 hours, 24-hour absence of bedding, tail clamping for 5 minutes, restraint for 6 hours, and 1 hour of noise exposure.

2. Stress stimulation protocol for the model group: The model was established over six weeks, with a random combination of any two stressors each day; no two consecutive days were allowed to feature the same stressor, ensuring the unpredictability of the stressors.

Weight check

This bar graph illustrates the changes in body weight between the control group and the CUMS‑model group of mice. Following the induction of the model, the control group maintained a body weight of approximately 28.8 g, whereas the CUMS‑treated group exhibited a reduction to about 26.3 g, representing a significant decrease compared with the control group; this difference was highly statistically significant (P < 0.001). These findings indicate that chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) markedly suppresses normal weight gain in mice.

 

 

Sweetness Preference Test

This figure presents the results of the sucrose preference test in CUMS‑model mice, reflecting the animals’ anhedonic state. Following model induction, the control group exhibited a sucrose consumption rate of approximately 94%, whereas the CUMS‑treated group showed a significant reduction to about 83%, markedly lower than that of the control group; this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The decline in sucrose preference constitutes a core behavioral hallmark of anhedonia in depression models, and these findings further confirm that the CUMS protocol successfully induces depressive‑like behaviors in mice, thereby validating the efficacy of the model.

 

 

Minefield Experiment

The open-field test is used to assess spontaneous locomotion and exploratory behavior in mice and is one of the classic measures of depression‑like behaviors. Following model induction, the control group exhibited a total locomotor distance of approximately 28,500 mm, whereas the CUMS‑induced group showed a significant reduction to about 24,500 mm. Compared with the control group, the CUMS‑exposed mice displayed markedly diminished activity, with pronounced reductions in spontaneous locomotion and suppression of exploratory behavior. These findings reflect impaired motor function and reduced interest in the model animals, which closely resemble the psychomotor retardation observed in patients with depression, thereby further validating the efficacy of the CUMS‑induced depressive model.

 

Precautions

1. During the modeling period, animals were housed individually in cages.

2. In the days leading up to model induction, begin with relatively mild stressors (such as food deprivation or a reversed day–night cycle), gradually introducing more intense stimuli (e.g., cold-water swimming, electrical stimulation).