Ethopharmacology of maternal aggression in mice: effects of diazepam and SM-3997

The present study investigated whether there is any difference between the effects of benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics on maternal aggression in lactating mice, using an ethological technique. We used SM-3997, a 5-HT1A receptor ligand, as a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic. Behavior towards an intruder male mouse was assessed on postpartum days 5 and 7 in female mice that had been housed alone since the end of the 4-day mating period. Acute oral administration of diazepam had a biphasic effect on the frequency of bites: 1 mg/kg diazepam significantly increased bite frequency, while 2.5 mg/kg diazepam significantly decreased it. However, 2.5 mg/kg diazepam also caused a significant decrease in locomotor activity. In contrast, SM-3997 (1, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg p.o.) significantly decreased the frequency of bites in a dose-dependent manner without causing motor dysfunction. Chronic treatment with 5 mg/kg SM-3997 significantly decreased the frequency of bites when compared with vehicle, whereas diazepam was ineffective at the doses used (0.5 and 1 mg/kg p.o.). The findings suggest that the proaggressive effect is specific to benzodiazepines, and that 5-HT1A receptors may be involved in the suppression of maternal aggression in mice.