Radial maze learning in two inbred mouse strains and their reciprocal congenics for the non-pseudoautosomal region of the Y chromosome

doi:10.1016/S0006-8993(99)01385-2

Brain Research

Volume 835, Issue 1, 17 July 1999, Pages 68-73

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0006-8993(99)01385-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

The effect of the non-pseudoautosomal region of the Y chromosome on spatial learning in a radial maze task was examined in two inbred mouse strains, NZB and CBA/H, and their respective congenics for the Y^NPAR. Seven variables reflecting learning performance, learning strategy and lateralisation were measured. We found no substantial effect of the Y^NPAR on radial maze learning, but modest influences on behavioral strategies. These findings are in agreement with previous results regarding the sizes of the intra- and infrapyramidal mossy fiber (IIPMF) terminal fields.

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Acknowledgements

FS was supported by a stipend from the Fondation Fyssen and a PULS Grant (48.001) from the Life Sciences Foundation (SLW), which is subsidized by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). WEC was supported by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (UPR 9074), Ministry for Research and Technology, Région Centre, and Préfecture de la Région Centre. UPR 9074 is affiliated with INSERM and the University of Orléans.

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Sex chromosome complement affects social interactions in mice
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Sex differences in behavior can be attributed to differences in steroid hormones. Sex chromosome complement can also influence behavior, independent of gonadal differentiation. The mice used for this work combined a spontaneous mutation of the Sry gene with a transgene for Sry that is incorporated into an autosome thus disassociating gonad differentiation from sex chromosome complement. The resulting genotypes are XX and XY⁻ females (ovary-bearing) along with XXSry and XY⁻Sry males (testes-bearing). Here we report results of basic behavioral phenotyping conducted with these mice. Motor coordination, use of olfactory cues to find a food item, general activity, foot shock threshold, and behavior in an elevated plus maze were not affected by gonadal sex or sex chromosome complement. In a one-way active avoidance learning task females were faster to escape an electric shock than males. In addition, sex chromosome complement differences were noted during social interactions with submissive intruders. Female XY⁻ mice were faster to follow an intruder than XX female mice. All XY⁻ mice spent more time sniffing and grooming the intruder than the XX mice, with XY⁻ females spending the most amount of time in this activity. Finally, XX females were faster to display an asocial behavior, digging, and engaged in more digging than XXSry male mice. All of these behaviors were tested in gonadectomized adults, thus, differences in circulating levels of gonadal steroids cannot account for these effects. Taken together, these data show that sex chromosome complement affects social interaction style in mice.
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¹: Published on the World Wide Web on 1 April 1999.

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Interactive reportRadial maze learning in two inbred mouse strains and their reciprocal congenics for the non-pseudoautosomal region of the Y chromosome1

Abstract

Section snippets

Acknowledgements

Behav. Neural. Biol.

Behav. Brain Res.

Behav. Brain Res.

Behav. Brain Res.

Adv. Study of Behav.

Neuroscience

Covariations between hippocampal mossy fibres and working and reference memory in spatial and non-spatial radial maze tasks in mice

Eur. J. Neurosci.

Radial-maze performance and structural variation of the hippocampus in mice: a correlation with mossy fibre distribution

Brain Res.

Interactive report
Radial maze learning in two inbred mouse strains and their reciprocal congenics for the non-pseudoautosomal region of the Y chromosome¹