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Interstrain aggression in hypertensive and/or hyperactive rats: SHR, WKY, WKHA, WKHT
E D Hendley1, W G Ohlsson, R E Musty
1Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405.
Physiology & Behavior
|May 1, 1992
Summary
Hypertension and hyperactivity influence rat aggression differently. Hypertensive rat strains showed increased allogrooming, while hyperactive strains displayed more attacks and aggressive postures, particularly in females.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Animal models of disease
- Genetics
Background:
- Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats are a common model for hypertension.
- Four derived strains exhibit hypertension and hyperactivity in varying combinations: Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs) have both, WKYs have neither, Wistar-Kyoto Hyperactive (WKHA) rats are hyperactive/normotensive, and Wistar-Kyoto Hypertensive (WKHT) rats are hypertensive/normoactive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how genetic combinations of hypertension and hyperactivity affect interstrain aggression in rats.
- To determine if specific aggressive behaviors are linked to either hypertension or hyperactivity.
Main Methods:
- Four inbred rat strains (SHR, WKY, WKHA, WKHT) were tested for aggression.
- Aggression was assessed by pairing same-sex, same-age rats from different strains in a novel arena for three consecutive 5-minute periods.
- Observed behaviors included allogrooming, attacks, mounts, aggressive postures, and blocks.
Main Results:
- Total aggression scores were highest in females, during the initial 5-minute period, and decreased with age (7-9 months).
- Allogrooming was significantly elevated in hypertensive strains (WKHT) and reduced in hyperactive strains (WKHA).
- Other aggressive behaviors (attacks, mounts, postures, blocks) were higher in hyperactive females.
Conclusions:
- Interstrain aggression is differentially expressed in rat strains genetically derived from WKY rats.
- Hypertension and hyperactivity independently influence specific components of aggressive behavior.
- No single strain fully replicates the complex aggressive behavioral profile observed in parent strains.