TITLE:
Mice selected for large and small brain weight: The preservation of trait differences after the selection was discontinued
AUTHORS:
Olga V. Perepelkina, Vassilissa A. Golibrodo, Irina G. Lilp, Inga I. Poletaeva
KEYWORDS:
Selection; Brain Weight; Ethanol Effects; Anxiety; Exploration; Cross Mazes
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.4 No.6A,
June
13,
2013
ABSTRACT: The selection for large and small relative brain weight
(RBW) in mice, started in 1999, resulted in stable significant differences in
the trait (16%). The selection was discontinued at F22, and both lines (Large
Brain, LB and Small brain, SB) were maintained by random mating. In F25-F28 the
significant differences in RBW were still present in spite of the lack of
selection. In F28 ethanol injections (2.4 mg/kg, 12% ethanol, i.p.) were
performed to animals of both lines. The ethanol effects were more intense in
SB, than in LB line. Mice were tested in elevated and closed plus-mazes and in
slip-funnel tests. Control LB mice explored new environment more actively and
were less affected by stressful environment than SBs. SB ethanol mice were less
anxious in elevated plus maze, initiated closed maze exploration earlier, moved
more vividly and demonstrated lower anxiety level in elevated plus maze than
saline injected mice, while changes in these behaviors after ethanol were not
so clear in LB mice, although their locomotion level increased.