Comparisons of measures of dominance in the laboratory mouse (original) (raw)
Related papers
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Aggression among group housed male mice continues to challenge laboratory animal researchers because mitigation strategies are generally applied at the cage level without a good understanding of how it affects the dominance hierarchy. Aggression within a group is typically displayed by the dominant mouse targeting lower ranking subordinates; thus, the strategies for preventing aggression may be more successful if applied specifically to the dominant mouse. Unfortunately, dominance rank is often not assessed because of time intensive observations or tests. Several correlates of dominance status have been identified, but none have been directly compared to home cage behavior in standard housing. This study assessed the convergent validity of three dominance correlates (urinary darcin, tube test score, preputial gland to body length ratio) with wound severity and rankings based on home cage behavior, using factor analysis. Discriminant validity with open field measures was assessed to ...
Behavioural comparisons of isolated, dominant and subordinate mice
Behavioural Processes, 1979
The study examines the suggestion that isolated male mice act in a similar way to dominant males. Behaviours of isolated, dominant and subordinate mice were compared in an open-field, emergence test, activity monitor and aggression test. In a number of ways the behaviour of both isolates and dominants differed from subordinates. Subordinates were more active on the first day in the open-field, but they habituated relatively quickly. In contrast, both the isolates and dominants were initially relatively inactive, but reacted to a novel situation for longer. There were, however, no circadian variations in activity in the three categories of mice. Unlike the subordinates, both dominants and isolates displayed aggression towards male mice; these last two categories of mice also had heavier sex accessory glands. It was concluded that the behaviour of isolated and dominant mice is very similar, at least under the conditions of this experiment.
1991
correlates of chronic dominance-subordination relationships of male rats in a seminatural situation. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV 14(4) [455][456][457][458][459][460][461][462] 1990.--Detailed characterization and analysis of intraspecific aggressive and defensive behaviors of rats in mixed sex groups is beginning to provide an understanding of the complex pattern of behavioral and physiological change associated with variation in dominance status. These findings indicate that male subordination dramatically reduces longevity and produces a pattern of behavior changes very similar to the defenses elicited by predatory exposure. In addition, many of these changes are, in detail, isomorphic to important behavioral features of clinical depression.
A longitudinal study of dominance in an outdoor colony of domestic rats
Journal of Comparative Psychology, 1983
A colony of domestic rats {Rattus norvegkus) in a large outdoor enclosure was observed daily for 15 mo. In both the colonizing rats and their progeny, social dominance followed a two-stage pattern. Among socially immature males of less than 150 days of age, social interaction typically took the form of play fighting and produced dominance hierarchies that were relatively unstable, nonfunctional in regard to activities such as copulation, and nonpredictive of adult dominance. Socially mature males, in contrast, won contests with aggressive acts such as biting-chasing, had the highest frequencies of social interaction and copulation, and were most active in attacking interlopers. There were also indications, based on more limited evidence, that maternally active females established functional and somewhat stable hierarchies.
Psicothema, 1997
This study examines the importance of dominance or submissiveness in pairs of mice, on their performance in subsequent agonistic encounters. Animals were housed in pairs for three days, and, on the basis of their behaviour patterns (attack, threat, submission, avoidance), were classified as dominants or subordinates. Subsequently, behaviour of dominants confronting dominants, dominants confronting new subordinates and subordinates confronting subordinates were video-taped and behaviour evaluated using an ethologically-based analysis. Submissive and dominant animals showed behavioural characteristics that clearly reflect their previous social status and were less influenced by an immediate evaluation of the opponent. In the course of this experiment, dominant animals showed relatively little defensive/avoidance behaviour, irrespective of the type of opponent. Submissive counterparts, acutely showed no offensive behaviour when confronting dominants or submissives. Behavioural elements other than strictly agonistic ones are influenced by the previous status of male mice.
[Competition for limited environmental resources on the social dominance model in laboratory mice]
Zhurnal vysshei nervnoi deiatelnosti imeni I P Pavlova
Asymmetry of social rank in the competition for food and female was studied using the social dominance model with only two male mice. Marking activity was recorded as a useful indicator of the social status. Social rank was determined by asymmetry in aggressive behavior. A food test was presented for 10 min daily within 5 days of the experiment, whereas a sexual test was performed only on the 5th day for 30 min. Marking behavior was estimated twice: before the first interaction and on the 4th day of the experiment. The competition for food was accompanied by active attacks, escapes, vertical defense postures, and sniffing. The level of aggression, sniffing, and food activity was higher in dominant than submissive males. Time course of aggressive, defensive, and sniffing behaviors was characterized by maximum scores in the period of formation of social hierarchy; however, the rate of food activity in this period was low and increased only to the 4th day. Introduction of a receptive f...
Psychonomic Science, 1972
Adult male mice of proved fertility were housed in pairs for aperiod of 17 days. On the 17th day of such housing, the dominant and the subordinate member of each pair were identified by the degree of wounding and their behavior. Each mouse was then placed for 5 min in an aggression test situation with an immature "standard" opponent and its behavior observed. On the following day, the mice were killed and the weights of the bodies and a number of endocrine glands were obtained. Although there were no significant differences between dominant and subordinate individuals on any of the behavioral measures, the organ weight study confirmed that subordinate mice are characterized by high adrenocortical and low gonadal activity when compared to the dominant animals. *1 thank Professor E. W. Knight-Jones for ~cilities and his encouragement.
Male management: coping with aggression problems in male laboratory mice
Laboratory Animals, 2003
In a laboratory environment, aggressive interactions between male mice may exceed normal levels leading to negative effects both on the well-being of the animals and on the validity of experimental results. In this paper we review results from the literature and our own research with regard to coping with excessive aggressive behaviour in male laboratory mice. Based on this review practical recommendations concerning the housing and care of male laboratory mice are formulated. In short, it is recommended to avoid individual housing, to transfer odour cues from the nesting area during cage cleaning and to apply nesting material as environmental enrichment. Furthermore, group size should be optimized to three animals per cage. Further research, in particular into the effects of frequency, duration, type and severity of disturbances during an experiment on the degree of aggression, is recommended.