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NMDA receptor antagonists extend the sensitive period for imprinting
1Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour, School of Biological Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia. carl.parsons@physiol.ox.ac.uk
Physiology & Behavior
|April 15, 2000
Summary
The sensitive period for filial imprinting in chicks can be extended by blocking NMDA receptors. Ketamine or MK-801 treatments allowed imprinting on day 8, suggesting NMDA receptor involvement in imprinting timing.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Filial imprinting in domestic chicks is a crucial developmental process occurring within a sensitive period.
- This sensitive period's timing is influenced by experimental methodologies.
- Previous studies indicated that dark-reared chicks lose imprinting ability after two days post-hatching.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the NMDA receptor system in regulating the sensitive period for filial imprinting.
- To determine if NMDA receptor antagonists can extend the imprinting sensitive period in domestic chicks.
Main Methods:
- Domestic chicks were used in an imprinting paradigm.
- Chicks were treated with ketamine, MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonists), xylazine (alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist), or saline at specific time points post-hatching.
- Imprinting ability was assessed on day 8 post-hatching.
Main Results:
- A mixture of ketamine and xylazine, ketamine alone (administered twice), or MK-801 allowed chicks to imprint on day 8.
- Single doses of ketamine or xylazine did not extend the sensitive period.
- Prolonged xylazine action did not affect the imprinting sensitive period.
Conclusions:
- The NMDA receptor system plays a critical role in gating the sensitive period for filial imprinting.
- NMDA receptor antagonists can effectively extend this sensitive period.
- These findings provide evidence for the involvement of NMDA receptors in the mechanisms controlling imprinting timing.