Behavioral differences among fourteen inbred mouse strains commonly used as disease models
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Published on: July 12, 2018
Gerald W M Bothe1, Valerie J Bolivar, Michelle J Vedder
1Taconic Farms, Germantown, New York 12526, USA.
Abstract:
We compared the behavior of 14 inbred mouse strains and an F1 hybrid commonly used in transgenic and knockout production. These strains were 129P3/J, 129S1/SvImJ, 129S6/SvEvTac, 129T2/SvEmsJ, 129X1/SvJ (formerly 129/J, 129/Sv-p+Tyr+Kitl+/J, 129/SvEvTac, 129SvEmsJ, and 129/SvJ, respectively), A/JCrTac, BALB/cAnNTac, C3H/HeNTac, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6NTac, DBA/2NTac, FVB/NTac, NOD/MrkTac, SJL/JCrNTac, and the hybrid B6129S6F1Tac. Performance in three behavioral tests (rotorod, open-field activity-habituation, and contextual and cued fear conditioning) was determined. On the rotorod assay, SJL/JCrNTac mice had the shortest latencies to fall on the first day of testing, and DBA/2NTac mice showed impaired motor learning. Open-field behavior was analyzed using the parameters total distance, center distance, velocity, and vertical activity. 129T2/EvEmsJ and A/JCrTac were least active in the open field, whereas NOD/MrkTac mice were most active. Contrary to earlier studies, we found that all strains habituated to the open field in at least one of these parameters. In contextual and cued fear conditioning, all strains displayed activity suppression. However, FVB/NTac mice reacted less strongly to both context and cue than did most of the other strains. There were no significant behavioral differences between C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NTac, except for higher open-field activity in C57BL/6J female mice. These findings illustrate the importance of the appropriate selection of background strain for transgenic, gene targeting, or drug research.
Insights
Choosing the right mouse strain is crucial for research. This study compared 14 mouse strains and one hybrid in behavioral tests, revealing significant differences in motor learning, activity, and fear conditioning relevant for transgenic and drug studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Mouse models are essential for preclinical research.
- Strain selection impacts experimental outcomes.
- Transgenic and knockout mouse production relies on specific inbred strains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the behavior of 14 inbred mouse strains and one F1 hybrid.
- To assess performance in motor learning, open-field activity, and fear conditioning.
- To guide the selection of appropriate mouse strains for research.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 14 inbred mouse strains and one F1 hybrid.
- Conducted rotorod, open-field activity-habituation, and contextual/cued fear conditioning tests.
- Analyzed parameters including latency to fall, total distance, center distance, velocity, and vertical activity.
Main Results:
- SJL/JCrNTac mice showed shortest rotorod latencies; DBA/2NTac mice exhibited impaired motor learning.
- NOD/MrkTac mice were most active in the open field, while 129T2/EvEmsJ and A/JCrTac were least active.
- FVB/NTac mice showed reduced fear conditioning responses; C57BL/6J females had higher open-field activity than C57BL/6NTac.
Conclusions:
- Significant behavioral variations exist among commonly used mouse strains.
- Strain background critically influences results in behavioral assays.
- Informed strain selection is vital for reproducible transgenic, gene targeting, and drug research.
