Phenotypes associated with psychiatric disorders are sex-specific in a mutant mouse line.
Wnt1-Cre- and Wnt1-GAL4 double transgenic (dTg) mice are used to study neural crest cell lineages by utilizing either the Cre/loxP or the GAL4/UAS system. We have previously shown that these mice exhibit behavioral abnormalities that resemble certain behaviors of psychiatric disorders and histologic alterations in the cholinergic and glutamatergic systems in the brain. The objective of the current study was to extend the behavioral analyses in these mice and to determine whether there were any sex-specific differences in the prevalence or severity of these behaviors. In the present study, we demonstrate additional behavioral abnormalities in dTg mice, such as increased locomotor activity, decreased social behavior, and an increased frequency in vertical jumping. Of these, the proclivity for vertical jumping was observed only in male dTg mice. In contrast, MK-801 administration induced increased locomotion in only female dTg mice. Furthermore, the concentrations of prolactin in the sera and oxytocin in the hypothalamus were both reduced only in female dTg mice, compared to controls. These sex-dependent behavioral and hormonal abnormalities in the dTG mice suggest that the phenotype of certain psychiatric disorders may be influenced by both genetic and sex-specific factors.
Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, School of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Matsuyama 790-8578, Ehime, Japan. Electronic address: mnakajim@cc.matsuyama-u.ac.jp.
Mitsunari
M
Nakajima
Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, School of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Matsuyama 790-8578, Ehime, Japan.
Takashi
T
Watanabe
Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, School of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Matsuyama 790-8578, Ehime, Japan.
Rui
R
Aoki
Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, School of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Matsuyama 790-8578, Ehime, Japan.
Risei
R
Shimizu
Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, School of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Matsuyama 790-8578, Ehime, Japan.
Satoshi
S
Okuyama
Department of Pharmaceutical Pharmacology, School of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Matsuyama University, Matsuyama 790-8578, Ehime, Japan.
Yoshiko
Y
Furukawa
D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012919:Social Behavior; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior
D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D010121:Oxytocin; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D011388:Prolactin
Autism; Oxytocin; Psychiatric disorder; Schizophrenia; Sex