Effects of ipsapirone on the behaviour of mice during social encounters.
Behavioural effects of ipsapirone at 30 min after intraperitoneal injections of 0.3 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg to adult male mice, were examined by ethopharmacological procedures in 7 min encounters with untreated isolated males in a neutral cage. Control males received intraperitoneal injections of physiological saline. The frequency and duration of aggressive behaviour were less in drug-treated than in saline-injected males. The occurrence of distance ambivalence and defensive ambivalence also were found to be significantly decreased by ipsapirone when the results from all drug-treated animals were compared with those of controls. The drug, at 3 mg/kg, induced hypothermia and also enhanced the minor behavioural acts of "head jerk" and "scratch". Partners to the drug-treated mice showed a decrease in the occurrence of offensive ambivalence and of the element "rattle". The present findings show that ipsapirone reduced conflict-related behaviour in mice, in association with its anti-aggressive properties.
Cutler
M G
MG
Department of Biological Sciences, Glasgow College of Technology, U.K.
Dixon
A K
AK
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012919:Social Behavior
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; C043077:ipsapirone