Behavioural consequences of IVC cages on male and female C57BL/6J mice

► Impact of individually ventilated cages (IVC) on baseline and drug-induced behaviour. ► No detection of IVC effects on locomotion and cognition of mice. ► IVC has anxiety-increasing and social interaction stimulating characteristics. ► IVC shifted locomotor response of male mice to acute MK-801 challenge. ► Researchers must clarify the cage system used for their test mice in detail.