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Septal lesions and biting attacks in rats bidirectionally selected for emotionality
Behavioral and Neural Biology
|March 1, 1985
Summary
Dominant male rats from low emotional strain colonies showed higher aggression than high emotional strain ones. Septal lesions reduced biting attacks in high emotional strain rats, suggesting genetic operations influence lesion effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Genetics
Background:
- Emotional strain in rats can influence aggressive behavior.
- The septal area of the brain plays a role in regulating behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between emotional strain, septal lesions, and aggression in male rats.
- To determine if genetic factors influence the effects of septal lesions on aggressive behavior.
Main Methods:
- Established colonies of high and low emotional strain rats.
- Identified dominant males and subjected them to septal lesions or sham operations.
- Measured aggressive behaviors, specifically biting attacks, using VTR observation after intruder tests.
Main Results:
- Dominant males from low emotional strain colonies were significantly more aggressive than those from high emotional strain colonies.
- Septal lesions in high emotional strain rats led to a decrease in biting attacks for 10 days.
- A significant interaction was found between lesions and emotional strain, indicating strain influences lesion effects.
Conclusions:
- Septal lesions can modulate aggressive biting attacks, with effects varying based on the rat's emotional strain.
- The findings suggest that genetic factors, represented by emotional strain, interact with neurosurgical interventions to influence aggressive behavior.