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Sex differences in head-fixed voluntary running behavior in C57BL/6J mice
Emily J Warner1,2,3, Krishnan Padmanabhan1,2,3,4
1Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|December 19, 2019
Summary
Female mice habituate to running wheels faster than male mice in head-fixed experiments. This sex difference in locomotor activity should be considered in neuroscience research using head-fixed mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Locomotor Activity
Background:
- Sex differences in natural running behaviors are well-documented in mice.
- Head-fixed mouse models on running wheels are used to study neural underpinnings of behavior.
- Existing research has not clarified if sex differences exist in head-fixed running paradigms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and characterize potential sex differences in locomotor activity within a head-fixed mouse model.
- To compare habituation rates to a voluntary running wheel between female and male mice.
Main Methods:
- Characterized locomotor activity in head-fixed female and male C57BL/6J mice.
- Utilized a voluntary running wheel experimental setup.
- Monitored running velocity and time spent running over an initial 7-day period.
Main Results:
- Both sexes increased running velocity and duration over the 7-day period.
- Female mice habituated to forward running within 2 days.
- Male mice required up to 4 days to habituate to forward running.
Conclusions:
- A sexually divergent behavior in head-fixed running was identified.
- Female mice demonstrate a faster habituation to running wheels compared to males.
- These findings highlight a critical consideration for experimental design involving both sexes in head-fixed running studies.
