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A model of social stress in dominant mice: effects on sociosexual behaviour
F R D'Amato1, R Rizzi, A Moles
1Istituto di Psicobiologia e Psicofarmacologia, CNR, Viale Marx 43, 00137 Rome, Italy. f.damato@ipsifar.rm.cnr.it
Abstract:
The possibility of socially stressing the dominant/aggressive member of a pair of male mice is tested. Male mice (NMRI outbreed strain) were housed in pairs to assess dominant and subordinate roles by agonistic interactions and urine-marking test. Social stress for dominant males consisted in 30 min/day of exposure to their subordinate partner interacting with a female in the adjacent compartment of the cage, for 9 days. Results showed that dominance status was maintained. Behavioural observations indicated that neither the subordinates nor the dominant males habituated to this experimental procedure. At the end of the chronic stress, dominant animals were given the opportunity to interact for 30 min with a female in their compartment. Results indicated that stressed dominants showed impairment in their sexual behaviour and were more oriented towards the physical environment in comparison with control dominants. The behavioural response to apomorphine (0.25 mg/kg) indicated an alteration of the dopaminergic functioning in socially stressed dominant mice. This study suggests that the characteristics of the stressor and the effects of the chronic social stress could be different, according to male social status.
Insights
Socially stressed dominant male mice showed impaired sexual behavior and altered dopaminergic function. Chronic social stress impacts male mice differently based on social status.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Social Stress Research
Background:
- Social hierarchy and dominance are crucial in animal behavior.
- Understanding the impact of social stress on dominant individuals is important for behavioral neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of chronic social stress on dominant male mice.
- To assess behavioral and neurochemical changes in stressed dominant mice compared to controls.
Main Methods:
- Male mice (NMRI strain) were housed in pairs to establish dominance.
- Dominant males were exposed to a social stressor involving their subordinate partner and a female mouse for 9 days.
- Behavioral tests (sexual behavior, response to apomorphine) were conducted post-stress.
Main Results:
- Dominance status was maintained throughout the experiment.
- Stressed dominant mice exhibited impaired sexual behavior and increased orientation towards the environment.
- Apomorphine challenge revealed altered dopaminergic functioning in stressed dominant mice.
Conclusions:
- Chronic social stress differentially affects dominant male mice, leading to behavioral and neurochemical alterations.
- The nature of the stressor and social status influence the effects of social stress.