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Behavioral traits are affected by selective breeding for increased wheel-running behavior in mice
I Jónás1, K A Schubert, A C Reijne
1Center for Behavior and Neurosciences, Neuroendocrinology Unit, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, Haren, The Netherlands.
Behavior Genetics
|April 7, 2010
Summary
Mice bred for high physical activity show increased exploration and routine behaviors. These traits, alongside heightened anxiety and risk-taking, may support sustained voluntary exercise.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Genetics
Background:
- Personality traits are hypothesized to influence voluntary physical activity levels.
- Selective breeding offers a powerful tool to investigate the genetic underpinnings of complex behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between personality traits and voluntary physical activity.
- To characterize behavioral differences in mouse lines selectively bred for high voluntary wheel-running behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two mouse lines selectively bred for high voluntary wheel-running behavior and one control line.
- Assessed behavior using the open-field test (exploratory and risk-taking) and the plus-maze test (anxiety).
- Investigated habituation and routine behavior by displacing the maze exit after initial testing.
Main Results:
- Selection lines exhibited enhanced exploratory behavior (upright positions, locomotion) and increased risk-taking in the open field.
- Anxiety-related behaviors were elevated in selection lines within the plus-maze.
- Both selection lines demonstrated increased routine behavior, persisting in navigating to a previously learned, displaced maze exit.
Conclusions:
- High voluntary physical activity in mice is associated with distinct personality traits, including increased exploration, risk-taking, and anxiety.
- Elevated routine behavior may be an adaptive strategy to maintain high activity levels.
- These findings provide insights into the behavioral correlates of high physical activity and its genetic basis.
