Effects of isolation on activity, reactivity, excitability and aggressive behavior in two inbred strains of mice

In order to investigate mechanisms of isolation-induced aggressive behavior, inbred mice of the C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains were individually housed over a period of 8 weeks. In the DBA/2 strain only, isolation was followed by a clear increase in activity (Animex), reactivity (reactions upon tactile body stimulation), excitability (duration of EEG desynchronization elicited by tactile stimulation of the thorax area under urethane anesthesia) and intermale aggression (biting and fighting responses). The use of inbred strains of mice proved to be a useful tool for the examination of the relationship between various parameters. It is concluded that there are no clear correlations between activity, reactivity and aggressive behavior and that the resulting aggressive responses in the DBA/2 strain are likely due to the increase of excitability.