Involvement of the brain catecholaminergic system in the regulation of dominant behavior.
The role of the brain catecholaminergic system in establishing dominant-subordinate relationships in mice of different genotypes was studied using inhibitors of tyrosine hydroxylase (alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine) or of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (FLA-57) or FLA-57 plus the dopamine precursor, DOPA. Demotion in all dominant and subdominant animals was associated with decreased noradrenaline levels, but the aggressive behavior of dominant male mice depended on the noradrenaline/dopamine ratio. Alterations in this relationship seem to have specific effects on social dominance in animals in the micropopulation, as drug-treated mice do not exhibit changes in their general activity. It can be concluded that brain catecholamines are of prime importance in maintenance of dominance.
Serova
L I
LI
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia.
Naumenko
E V
EV
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008781:Methyltyrosines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D010641:Phenotype; D051381:Rats; D012930:Social Dominance; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine
D002395:Catecholamines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008781:Methyltyrosines; D019805:alpha-Methyltyrosine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004299:Dopamine beta-Hydroxylase