We thank Petra Grutzik for construction of the behavioral cage, Dr. Thomas Borowski for help designing the experiment, and Dr. Stephanie White for her generous support. Funding from an HHMI undergraduate summer research grant (HHMI #30052007536 to D.S. and L.H).

All experiments were approved by the Institutional Care and Use Committee of the W.M. Keck Science Department, in accordance to NIH guidelines. All animals used were adults (&#62;90 days post hatch).
1. Construction of Operant Conditioning Chamber
<ol>
	<li>Build a testing cage composed of two identical chambers, 15 x 15 x 17 inch3 each (Figure 1A). Make a small door (as an entrance to each chamber) on the side of the cage near the pe...

<ol>
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J., Wang, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+neurobiology+of+pair+bonding.">The neurobiology of pair bonding.</a> Nature Neuroscience. 7 (10), 1048-1054 (2004).</li><li>Aragona, B. J., Liu, Y., Curtis, J. T., Stephan, F. K., Wang, Z. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+critical+role+for+nucleus+accumbens+dopamine+in+partner-preference+formation+in+male+prairie+voles.">A critical role for nucleus accumbens dopamine in partner-preference formation in male prairie voles.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 23 (8), 3483-3490 (2003).</li><li>Lippert, R. 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L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Oxytocin+antagonist+treatments+alter+the+formation+of+pair+relationships+in+zebra+finches+of+both+sexes.">Oxytocin antagonist treatments alter the formation of pair relationships in zebra finches of both sexes.</a> Hormones and Behavior. 62 (2), 113-119 (2012).</li><li>Adkins-Regan, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Neuroendocrinology+of+social+behavior.">Neuroendocrinology of social behavior.</a> Ilar Journal. 50 (1), 5-14 (2009).</li><li>Goodson, J. L., Kabelik, D., Kelly, A. M., Rinaldi, J., Klatt, J. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Midbrain+dopamine+neurons+reflect+affiliation+phenotypes+in+finches+and+are+tightly+coupled+to+courtship.">Midbrain dopamine neurons reflect affiliation phenotypes in finches and are tightly coupled to courtship.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the United States of America. 106 (21), 8737-8742 (2009).</li><li>Iwasaki, M., Poulsen, T. M., Oka, K., Hessler, N. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sexually+dimorphic+activation+of+dopaminergic+areas+depends+on+affiliation+during+courtship+and+pair+formation.">Sexually dimorphic activation of dopaminergic areas depends on affiliation during courtship and pair formation.</a> Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. 8 (210), (2014).</li><li>Gess, A., Schneider, D. M., Vyas, A., Woolley, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Automated+auditory+recognition+training+and+testing.">Automated auditory recognition training and testing.</a> Animal Behavior. 82 (2), 285-293 (2011).</li><li>Woolley, S. C., Doupe, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Social+context-induced+song+variation+affects+female+behavior+and+gene+expression.">Social context-induced song variation affects female behavior and gene expression.</a> PLoS Biology. 6 (3), 62 (2008).</li><li>Day, N. 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A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beyond+Critical+Period+Learning:+Striatal+FoxP2+Affects+the+Active+Maintenance+of+Learned+Vocalizations+in+Adulthood.">Beyond Critical Period Learning: Striatal FoxP2 Affects the Active Maintenance of Learned Vocalizations in Adulthood.</a> eNeuro. 6 (2), (2019).</li><li>Chen, Y., Clark, O., Woolley, S. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Courtship+song+preferences+in+female+zebra+finches+are+shaped+by+developmental+auditory+experience.">Courtship song preferences in female zebra finches are shaped by developmental auditory experience.</a> Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 284 (1855), 20170054 (2017).</li><li>Heston, J. B., White, S. 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We describe a method to test the song preference of zebra finches. We used this assay to test the preference of a paired female for her partner's song. In addition, the assay was used to test the effect of dopamine on induction of song preference in naive females. This method is relatively inexpensive and was designed and used by undergraduate students, making it an excellent training tool for students. Several other studies have tested song preference in several song species, making this method useful to many investigat...

An erratum was issued for:&#160;<a href="https://www.jove.com/video/60590/operant-conditioning-task-to-measure-song-preference-in-zebra-finches">Operant Conditioning Task to Measure Song Preference in Zebra Finches</a>. An affiliation&#160;was updated.
One of the affiliations was updated from:
W.M. Keck Science Department, Clarmont McKenna College &#8211; Pitzer College &#8211; Scripps College
to:
W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont McKenna College &#8211; Pitzer College &#8211; Scripps College

An erratum was issued for:&#160;<a href="https://www.jove.com/video/60590/operant-conditioning-task-to-measure-song-preference-in-zebra-finches">Operant Conditioning Task to Measure Song Preference in Zebra Finches</a>. An affiliation&#160;was updated.

Erratum: Operant Conditioning Task to Measure Song Preference in Zebra Finches

One of the fundamental questions in biology is how animals form affiliative bonds. In particular, what are the neural mechanisms by which these bonds are made and are these basic mechanisms conserved across vertebrate species? The prairie vole has given clues to some of the neurotransmitter systems that are important for pair-bond formation1,2,3. In particular, dopamine acting through receptors in the nucleus accumbens can induce partner preference in both male and female voles4,5. It is unclear whether the general principles underlying partner preference formation and maintenance are evolutionarily conserved.
Monogamy is more common in birds than in mammals6. Therefore, comparing mechanisms of affiliative behavior in birds to other species is critical to understanding conserved neural foundations7,8,9. In general, across many species of songbirds, male song is thought to serve as an honest indicator of male fitness10,11. Male zebra finch songbirds sing to attract mates and influence the formation of monogamous pairs12,13. Thus, song can be used to determine partner preference in these birds.
The mechanisms by which females form a preference for their partner's song is unknown. Mesotocin, the avian homologue of oxytocin, appears to play a role in pair-bond formation in finches14,15. In addition, dopamine has also been shown to play a role in pair-bond formation9,16,17,18. For example, dopamine levels are higher in the nucleus accumbens of paired versus non-paired finches9.
To study the role of neurotransmitter systems on pair-bond formation and maintenance, we measured song preference using an operant testing paradigm equipped with infrared sensors to trigger song playbacks19. The ratio of song playbacks identified the female's preference for a male's song. Prior to the operant conditioning task, each female was isolated for up to 48 h in an anechoic chamber with her partner for 'paired females' or with an unfamiliar male, for 'unpaired females'. To test the effect of dopamine on song preference, unpaired females were treated twice with a D2R dopamine agonist while isolated with the unfamiliar male. This behavioral paradigm is based on previous studies19,20 and is amenable to research by undergraduate students.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>(-)-Quinpirole</td>
			<td>sigmaaldrich</td>
			<td>Q102</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>acoustic foam</td>
			<td>Coulbourn Instruments, Allentown, PA</td>
			<td>H10-24A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>audio amplifier - 2 channel</td>
			<td>Amazon</td>
			<td>Pyle PCAU46A</td>
			<td>any small audio amplifier should work</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Banner Engineering Q08 Series, emitter. SO60-Q08</td>
			<td><a href="https://www.alliedelec.com" target="_blank">https://www.alliedelec.com</a></td>
			<td>Stock #:70659809</td>
			<td>photoelectric sensor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Banner Engineering Q08 series, receiver. EO60-Q08-AN6X</td>
			<td><a href="https://www.alliedelec.com" target="_blank">https://www.alliedelec.com</a></td>
			<td>Stock #:70699384</td>
			<td>photoelectric sensor</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Car stereo speakers</td>
			<td>Amazon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Pioneer TS - F1643R</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digital I/O card</td>
			<td>National Instruments</td>
			<td>PCI-6503 or USB-6501</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>LED lights - under-counter</td>
			<td>Amazon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>multifunctional ribbon cable</td>
			<td>National Instruments</td>
			<td>180524-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sound pressure level meter</td>
			<td>Amazon</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>terminal block</td>
			<td>National Instruments</td>
			<td>777101-1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

operant conditioning task to measure song preference in zebra finches

An operant conditioning paradigm is used to test the song preference of female zebra finches. Finches are placed in a two-chambered cage with a connecting opening and indicate their preference for a song by landing on a perch within each chamber. By interrupting the infrared beam from a photoelectric sensor above each perch, the bird activates the playback of a song through a speaker located on each side of the cage. Freely available software is used to trigger the song playback from each perch. To determine the song preference of each animal, her chamber preference is first identified by triggering no song playback when she lands on each perch. This chamber preference is then compared to her song preference. A minimum activity threshold is set to ensure the preference is real. Using this method, we show that paired females prefer the song of their partner. This method was used to understand the contribution of dopamine to the formation and maintenance of song preference.

Following the protocol, we found that paired females preferred their partner's song (Figure 2A). There was a significant difference between the side chamber preference during silence to that during song playback (t-test corrected for multiple comparisons; p = 0.004; t = 3.35, df = 16). Thus, the female preferentially triggered the song of her partner in comparison to the song of an unfamiliar male.
Females that were paired with an unfamiliar male ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Operant Conditioning Task to Measure Song Preference in Zebra Finches at JoVE.com

Operant Conditioning Task to Measure Song Preference in Zebra Finches

We describe a technique to evaluate song preference in zebra finches. Females are placed in a two-chambered cage and song preference is measured by the number of times she triggers the playback of one song by landing on a perch within one chamber, compared with triggering a different song in the second chamber. Perch landings are counted using infrared sensors.

An operant conditioning paradigm is used to test the song preference of female zebra finches. Finches are placed in a two-chambered cage with a connecting ...

This operant conditioning protocol quantifies bird behavioral preferences for one bird song over another. We use this method to test the influence of dopamine on song preference in female zebra finches. This protocol was developed by undergraduate students and is relatively easy to use to test auditory preferences in many bird species.To fabricate an operant conditioning chamber cut a four by five by six inch door on the side of each of two identical 15 by 15 by 17 inch chambers, 2.5 inches away from the center of the cage, between the chambers. Use a separate piece of the shelving to make a door that covers the window and use wire cutters to make a four by six inch opening between the two chambers to allow the birds to move between chambers. In each chamber place any kind of perch that is suitable for the type of bird being tested, 11 inches from the center of the cage and six inches from the bottom of the cage that will span the width of the cage.Use zip ties to tether the emitter and receiver of the photoelectric sensor on the cage directly above each end of the perch. And place under cabinet LED lights on the top of the cage to provide enough illumination that the animals will move freely between the two side chambers. Place bird seed and water next to each of the perches, and place a speaker at each end of each chamber.Place anechoic foam on the perimeter of the entire cage, leaving holes for the cage doors and water bottles. Then connect the speaker to an audio amplifier, and connect the audio amplifier to the sound output on a computer. To connect the sensors open the measurement and automation program associated with the digital IO card, and determine the device ID for the IO card within the devices in interfaces.Select the device pin outs options to determine the port and line number that corresponds to the inputs. Use the test panels as an option to verify that the IO detects when the infrared beam is broken and note the channel and port IDs for each set of sensors. The green indicators on the sensors will change color when the status of the beam is altered.To set up the sound analysis program open the soundanalysispro. exe file and select the operant devices tab. Check the enable operant training national instruments card installed box and select the appropriate device ID.For each detector indicate the corresponding port in line for the sensors.In the main window of the sound analysis pro recorder, click train to activate the sensors for the appropriate channels. A yellow button will appear. Select the channel number of interest to record the name of the bird.In the identification and mode window enter in the bird's identification in the name field. To ensure that sound is played to the speakers manipulate the settings in the output selection tab to select the appropriate speaker and channel that are connected to the speaker. To determine the female birds'side chamber preference first place the female in the testing cage for at least one hour to allow her time to adjust to the cage.Use a hand or an object of interest to ensure that the finch explores both sides of the chambers through the opening as necessary. In Sound Analysis Pro open the playbacks tab and click sounds. Then select the audio.wav file to play silence in chamber one and chamber two. In the main tab click reset and start. At the end of the session click stop and record the number of triggers at each perch as displayed in the blue boxes.Next, under the playbacks tab select the audio. wav file of the partner song to play back the partner song from the side of the chamber with the fewest perch triggers and select an unfamiliar song from the chamber with the most perch triggers. In the main tab click reset and start to begin the one hour song preference test.Then calculate the chamber and song preference by dividing the number of triggers on the side chamber playing the partner song by the total number of triggers. In this representative analysis paired females preferred their partner's song and a significant difference was observed between the side chamber preference during silence to that observed during song playback. Thus, the female preferentially triggered the song of her partner compared to the song of an unfamiliar male.When individual naive females were housed with individual unfamiliar males for 24 to 48 hours, and given two subcutaneous injections of the dopamine two receptor agonist quinpirole, the female birds preferred the song of the male they were with for only 24 to 48 hours. Females that were paired with an unfamiliar male for 24 to 48 hours and additionally given saline injections did not have a preference for his song over the song of another unfamiliar male. To ensure there was no difference in the total activity of the females between treatment groups that could account for the difference in song preference, the total number of perch triggers for each group was compared.As expected the total activity of the birds in any given treatment group was similar. When setting up the sensors make sure that the infrared beam is aligned correctly. Also be sure that each bird triggers a single count when she lands on a perch.This procedure can be used to understand the neural circuits underlying song preference formation by injecting dopamine agonists directly into specific brain regions.

operant-conditioning-task-to-measure-song-preference-in-zebra-finches

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6.3K Views.  Claremont McKenna College – Pitzer College – Scripps College. This operant conditioning protocol quantifies bird behavioral preferences for one bird song over another. We use this method to test the influence of dopamine on song preference in female zebra finches. This protocol was developed by undergraduate students and is relatively easy to use to test auditory preferences in many bird species.To fabricate an operant conditioning chamber cut a four by five by six inch door on the side of each of two identical 15 by 15 by 17 inch chambers, 2.5 i...