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Strain differences in fear-motivated behavior of rats
1Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Genetic and breeding factors significantly influence rat behavior in anxiety models. These variations can explain inconsistent drug responses, highlighting the importance of strain and breeder in research.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Anxiolytic drug studies yield inconsistent results, potentially due to variations in animal models.
- Understanding the impact of genetic disposition and breeding on aversion-motivated behavior is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate behavioral differences in anxiety and exploration among different rat strains and breeders.
- To assess the contribution of genetic and breeding factors to aversion-motivated behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized four animal models: conflict test, open field, free exploratory paradigm, social interaction, and holeboard test.
- Examined male rats from Wistar/Winkelmann, Wistar/Charles River, Wistar/BGVV, Lewis/Charles River, Fischer/Charles River, and Brown Norway/Charles River strains.
Main Results:
- Significant behavioral differences in anxiety and exploration were observed between rat strains and even within the same strain from different breeders.
- These variations in anxiety-related behavior may account for contradictory findings in studies using anxiolytic or anxiogenic drugs.
Conclusions:
- Genetic factors and breeding conditions substantially influence anxiety-motivated behaviors in animal models.
- Observed behavioral differences may be linked to underlying biochemical variations, impacting research outcomes.