Expression of aggressiveness modulates mesencephalic c-fos activation during a social interaction test in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

Expression of aggressiveness modulates mesencephalic c-fos activation during a social interaction test in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Behav Brain Res. 2019 Apr 02;: Authors: Caliva JM, Melleu FF, Marino-Neto J, Marin RH, Kembro JM Abstract It is well known that during a social conflict, interactions are dependent on the animal's propensity to behave aggressively as well as the behavior of the opponent. However, discriminating between these two confounding factors was difficult. Recently, a Social Interaction (SI) test using photocastrated males as non-aggressive stimuli was proposed as a useful tool to evaluate aggressiveness. The avian Intercollicular- Griseum centralis complex (comparable to mammalian periaqueductal gray) has been reported as a crucial node in the descending pathways that organize behavioral and autonomic aspects of defensive responses and aggressiveness. Herein, using the SI test, we evaluated whether mesencephalic areas are activated (expressed c-fos) when photostimulated adult males are confronted with non-responsive (non-aggressive) opponents. Furthermore, we also examined whether mesencephalic activation is related to male performance during the SI test (i.e., aggressive vs. non-aggressive males) in birds reared in enriched or in standard environments. Five mesencephalic areas at two anatomic levels (intermediate and rostral) and locomotion during SI testing were studied. Aggressive males showed increa...
Source: Behavioural Brain Research - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Behav Brain Res Source Type: research