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Differences between two substrains of AB mice in the opioid system
A Becker1, H Schröder, M Brosz
1Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Medical Faculty, Magdeburg, Germany.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|November 5, 1997
Summary
Aggressive ABH mice exhibit distinct endogenous opioid system activity compared to non-aggressive ABG mice. Lower DAMGO binding suggests opioid system differences contribute to aggression in mice.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Two mouse substrains, ABH/Md and ABG/Md, display divergent aggressive behaviors.
- Male ABH mice show high aggression post-maturation, precluding group housing, unlike ABG mice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of endogenous opioid systems in the differential aggressiveness between ABH and ABG mice.
- To assess the impact of morphine on pain response and DAMGO binding in relation to aggressive behavior.
Main Methods:
- Hot plate test to evaluate thermal stimulus reaction time in response to morphine.
- Measurement of specific DAMGO binding to assess opioid receptor activity.
- Comparison of behavioral and neurochemical responses between ABH and ABG mice.
Main Results:
- Control ABH mice exhibited significantly longer reaction times to thermal stimuli than ABG mice.
- Morphine administration eliminated the difference in reaction times, indicating altered basal opioid system activity.
- Aggressive ABH mice showed significantly lower DAMGO binding compared to ABG mice.
Conclusions:
- Differences in endogenous opioid system activity, specifically lower DAMGO binding, are associated with increased aggressiveness in ABH mice.
- Opioid mechanisms likely play a significant role in mediating the observed behavioral differences in mouse aggression.