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Strain-dependent differences in hippocampal glucocorticoid binding capacity and active avoidance in the mouse
F R Patacchioli1, S Puglisi-Allegra, S Maccari
1Instituto di Farmacologia 2a, Medical Faculty, University of Rome, La Sapienza, Italy.
Behavioural Brain Research
|March 5, 1990
Summary
Maximal corticosterone binding in the hippocampus was lower in C57BL/6 mice than BALB/c mice, correlating with active avoidance learning. This highlights genetically determined behavioral and neuroendocrine differences in these mouse strains.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Endocrinology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mouse strains like C57BL/6 and BALB/c exhibit distinct behavioral and neuroendocrine profiles.
- The hippocampus plays a crucial role in learning and memory, and is sensitive to glucocorticoids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between hippocampal corticosterone binding capacity, active avoidance learning, and hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis (HPAA) activity in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice.
- To explore the genetic underpinnings of behavioral and neuroendocrine differences between these mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of maximal [3H]corticosterone binding capacity in hippocampal tissue.
- Assessment of active avoidance learning performance.
- Measurement of plasma corticosterone levels to evaluate HPAA activity.
Main Results:
- C57BL/6 mice exhibited lower hippocampal [3H]corticosterone binding capacity compared to BALB/c mice.
- Hippocampal corticosterone binding capacity was positively correlated with active avoidance learning performance across both strains.
- C57BL/6 mice showed higher plasma corticosterone levels, indicating greater HPAA activity, than BALB/c mice.
Conclusions:
- Genetically determined differences in behavior between C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice are associated with variations in hippocampal corticosterone binding.
- A functional relationship exists between behavioral parameters (active avoidance learning) and neuroendocrine parameters (hippocampal binding, HPAA activity).
- These findings underscore the role of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor systems in mediating strain-specific behavioral and neuroendocrine phenotypes.