Effects of zoosocial conflict on immunological reactivity of C57Bl/6 mice

Abstract

In aggressive C57B1/6 mice, the immune response is shown to be enhanced after 20 confrontations with submissive mice. In submissive mice, the response is inhibited after 10-20 confrontations with aggressive partners. It is concluded that stimulation and inhibition of the immune response are associated with the formation of a neurochemical set which is dopaminergic in aggressive mice and serotoninergic in submissive ones.