Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Y-Chromosomal effects on discrimination learning and hippocampal asymmetry in mice

  • Published:
Behavior Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

From a four-way cross between unrelated inbred strains of mice, a random-breeding line was developed that segregated at two coat-color loci and carried Y chromosomes from different sources. Adult males were used for measurements of black-white discrimination learning and 7-day response retention in a water maze, body weight, brain weight, and left- and right-side hippocampus weight. Clear evidence was obtained of Y-linked influences on response acquisition, body weight, right-side hippocampus weight, and hippocampal asymmetry, whereas direct effects of autosome 9 were indicated with regard to right-side hippocampus weight only. However, epistatic interactions of the Y chromosome with autosome 9 were found for response acquisition and body weight and with autosome 4 for hippocampal asymmetry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barber, R. P., Vaughn, J., Wimer, R. E., and Wimer, C. C. (1974). Genetically associated variations in the distribution of dentate granula cell synapses upon the pyramidal cell dendrites in mouse hippocampus.J. Comp. Neurol. 156:417–434.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bauer, S. J., and Sokolowski, M. B. (1988). Autosomal and maternal effects on pupation behavior inDrosophila melanogaster.Behav. Genet. 18:81–97.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crusio, W. E., Schwegler, H., Brust, I., and van Abeelen, J. H. F. (1989a). Genetic selection for novelty-induced rearing behavior in mice produces changes in hippocampal mossy fiber distributions.J. Neurogenet. 5:87–93.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crusio, W. E., Schwegler, H., and van Abeelen, J. H. F. (1989b). Behavioral responses to novelty and structural variation of the hippocampus in mice. II. Multivariate genetic analysis.Behav. Brain Res. 32:81–88.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lipp, H.-P., Collins, R. L., and Nauta, W. J. H. (1984). Structural asymmetries in brains of mice selected for strong laterization.Brain Res. 310:393–396.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • SAS (1985).SAS User's Guide: Statistics, Version 5 Edition, SAS Institute, Cary, N.C., pp. 433–506.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwegler, H., and Lipp, H.-P. (1983). Hereditary covariations of neuronal circuitry and behavior: Correlations between the proportions of hippocampal synaptic fields in the regio inferior and two-way avoidance in mice and rats.Behav. Brain Res. 7:1–38.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slomianka, L., and West, M. J. (1987). Asymmetry in the hippocampal region specific for one of two closely related species of wild mice.Brain Res. 436:69–75.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Abeelen, J. H. F. (1988). Autosomal and heterosomal influences on behavioral and somatic traits in mice.Behav. Genet. 18:99–104.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Abeelen, J. H. F., and Schetgens, T. M. P. (1981). Inheritance of discrimination learning ability and retention in BA and DBA mice.Behav. Genet. 11:173–177.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Abeelen, J. H. F., Daems, J., and Douma, G. (1973). Memory storage in three inbred mouse strains after injection of cycloheximide.Physiol. Behav. 10:751–753.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Abeelen, J. H. F., Leenders, H. J., and Snellings, H. L. M. (1987). Adrenalectomy alters exploratory behavior and fails to alter black-white discrimination learning in DBA/2 mice.Mouse News Lett. 78:66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waller, M. B., Waller, P. F., and Brewster, L. A. (1960). A water maze for use in studies of drive and learning.Psychol. Rep. 7:99–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wimer, R., and Weller, S. (1965). Evaluation of a visual discrimination task for the analysis of the genetics of a mouse behavior.Percept. Mot. Skills 20:203–208.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wimer, R. E., Wimer, C. C., Chernow, C. R., and Balvanz, B. A. (1980). The genetic organization of neuron number in the pyramidal cell layer of hippocampal regio superior in house mice.Brain Res. 196:59–77.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wimer, C. C., Wimer, R. E., and Roderick, T. H. (1971). Some behavioral differences associated with relative size of hippocampus in the mouse.J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol. 76:57–65.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Physiology, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    J. H. F. van Abeelen & C. J. J. G. Janssens

  2. Institut für Humangenetik und Anthropologie, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 328, 6900, Heidelberg, FRG

    W. E. Crusio

  3. Department of Statistical Consultation, University of Nijmegen, Toernooiveld, 6525 ED, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    W. A. J. G. Lemmens

Authors
  1. J. H. F. van Abeelen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. J. J. G. Janssens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. W. E. Crusio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. A. J. G. Lemmens
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

van Abeelen, J.H.F., Janssens, C.J.J.G., Crusio, W.E. et al. Y-Chromosomal effects on discrimination learning and hippocampal asymmetry in mice. Behav Genet 19, 543–549 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066253

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066253

Key Words

Search

Navigation