Strain differences of mice in response to the shock-situation

Abstract

Two experiments wcrc conducted to investigate the long-term effects of stress upon responses in inbred mice, C57BLfGJ and CS. In Experiment I, the mice received intermittent electric shocks for five hours in a day for 15 days. Activity rhythms and the body weight were measured in the home cage, and locomotion and the body weight loss in the shock box. In the C57BL16J mice, the body weight decreased over days, while the body weight loss in the shock box decreased. Activity rhythms did not change remarkably. In the CS mice, the body weight remained constant, although the weight loss was larger in the stress situation and the drinking activity rhythm changed. Experiment II revealed that this change in drinking activity rhythm was due to the experimental manipulation other than E.S. The relationship between post-stress behaviors and the body weight change was discussed.