A behavior analysis of the offspring of "haloperidol-sensitive" and "haloperidol-resistant" gerbils

The first generation (F1) offspring of haloperidol-sensitive (HS) and haloperidol-resistant (HR) gerbils were compared in a battery of motor ("catalepsy") tests, a novel cardboard-shredding (oro-facial stereotypy) test, and a holeboard (exploration) test. The F1 HS gerbils were more "cataleptic" than the F1 HR gerbils after haloperidol (1 and 3 mg/kg). The F1 HR gerbils showed more oro-facial stereotypy and more exploratory behavior than did F1 HS gerbils in undrugged tests. The F1 HS and F1 HR groups did not differ in "general activity" as measured by line crossings in an open field or by an electromagnetic monitor in the home cage. These results are preliminary behavioral evidence for a difference between HS and HR gerbils in dopaminergic or related functions.