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Strain specific behavioural response to environmental enrichment in the mouse
H A van de Weerd1, V Baumans, J M Koolhaas
1Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Journal of Experimental Animal Science
|August 1, 1994
Summary
Environmental enrichment impacts mouse behavior differently across strains. C57BL mice showed increased reactivity, while BALB/c mice exhibited higher anxiety in enriched environments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Genetics
Background:
- Environmental enrichment is known to influence animal behavior.
- Understanding strain-specific responses is crucial for research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of environmental enrichment on mouse behavior.
- To compare responses between two distinct inbred mouse strains: C57BL and BALB/c.
Main Methods:
- Male mice of C57BL and BALB/c strains were housed for two months.
- Subjects were exposed to either standard housing or an enriched environment.
- Behavioral tests were conducted to assess reactivity, alertness, and anxiety levels.
Main Results:
- C57BL mice in enriched environments displayed heightened reactivity and alertness.
- BALB/c mice in enriched environments showed indications of increased anxiety.
- A clear strain-specific effect of environmental enrichment on behavior was observed.
Conclusions:
- Environmental enrichment does not produce uniform behavioral changes in mice.
- The behavioral outcomes of environmental enrichment are dependent on the genetic background of the mouse strain.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering genetic factors in studies involving environmental enrichment and mouse behavior.
