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Pinch-induced catalepsy in mice

K Ornstein, S Amir

    Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology
    |October 1, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary

    Researchers found that repeated neck pinches in mice induce a prolonged immobility response known as pinch-induced catalepsy. This adaptive behavior may enhance survival during predator encounters.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neuroscience
    • Animal Behavior

    Background:

    • Catalepsy, a state of motor immobility, is observed in various animal species.
    • Understanding the mechanisms and triggers of catalepsy is crucial for behavioral neuroscience.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the induction and characteristics of pinch-induced catalepsy in mice.
    • To explore the adaptive significance of this behavior in a predatory context.

    Main Methods:

    • Repeated administration of strong pinches to the scruff of the neck in five mouse strains.
    • Retesting catalepsy 48 hours after initial acquisition.
    • Assessing the effects of alternative stimuli (tail pinches) and environmental factors (swimming, social housing).
    • Evaluating the impact of trial spacing on catalepsy induction.

    Main Results:

    • Strong, prolonged catalepsy was reliably induced by neck pinches, persisting for minutes.
    • Catalepsy was more easily induced upon retesting.
    • Tail pinches and non-pinch stimuli produced weaker, shorter immobility.
    • Preventive treatments and spaced trials (up to 10 min intervals) did not inhibit catalepsy, but 30-min intervals abolished it.

    Conclusions:

    • Pinch-induced catalepsy is a robust phenomenon in mice, distinct from general immobility responses.
    • The behavior's characteristics resemble those seen when mice are attacked by predators.
    • Pinch-induced catalepsy is proposed as an adaptive survival strategy in predator-prey interactions.

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