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Artificial selection for increased maternal defense behavior in mice.

Stephen C Gammie1, Theodore Garland, Sharon A Stevenson

  • 1Department of Zoology, University of Wisconsin, 1117 West Johnson St., Madison, WI 53706, USA. scgammie@wisc.edu

Behavior Genetics
|May 6, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Researchers selected for increased maternal aggression in mice, observing significant genetic heritability. This selection also impacted litter size, pup mass, and anxiety-related behaviors, providing a new model for studying maternal aggression.

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Area of Science:

  • Behavioral Genetics
  • Neuroscience
  • Animal Behavior

Background:

  • Maternal aggression is crucial for offspring protection in mammals.
  • Understanding the genetic basis of maternal defense behaviors is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the genetic heritability and response to selection for maternal aggression in house mice.
  • To develop a mouse model for studying the genetic and neural underpinnings of maternal defense.

Main Methods:

  • Applied within-family selection for maternal aggression duration over eight generations in house mice (Mus domesticus).
  • Maintained a control line and propagated both lines using 13 families per generation.
  • Assessed maternal aggression, litter traits, pup mass, pup retrieval, and anxiety-like behaviors (plus maze).

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Main Results:

  • Maternal aggression showed a high initial heritability (0.61) and responded to selection with a realized heritability of 0.40.
  • Selected mice exhibited reduced litter size, increased pup mass, and longer pup retrieval latency by generation 5.
  • Selected mice also displayed increased exploration in a plus maze, suggesting altered anxiety-related behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • Maternal aggression is a heritable trait that can be effectively selected for in mice.
  • Selection for maternal aggression influences other reproductive and behavioral traits, including anxiety.
  • This selected line provides a valuable genetic tool for future research into maternal aggression mechanisms.