Behavioral development and strain differences in perinatal mice (Mus musculus).
The perinatal development of spontaneous body movements and reflexes was examined in Slc:ICR, C3H/He, and BALB/c mice (Mus musculus). Mice were observed from Day 18.0 (a day before normal parturition) to Day 21.5 of gestation. The developmental changes of spontaneous body movements and reflexes occurred quickly. Strain differences in behavioral development were detected in the duration of spontaneous body movements but not in the occurrence of reflexes. Hybrid mice were more active than their parental strains with regard to duration of spontaneous body movements. The rooting reflex and crossed extensor reflex in hybrid mice occurred more frequently on Day 18.0 than in their parental strains. There was no maternal effect between reciprocal hybrid mice. These results indicate that the perinatal period is characterized by quick qualitative and quantitative changes in behavioral development and by the appearance of these genetic differences.
Kodama
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Department of Psychology, Shiga University, Otsu, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001835:Body Weight; D002585:Cesarean Section; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal; D012018:Reflex; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal