Formosan wood mice (Apodemus semotus) exhibit more exploratory behaviors and central dopaminergic activities than C57BL/6 mice in the open field test.

Formosan wood mice (Apodemus semotus) exhibit more exploratory behaviors and central dopaminergic activities than C57BL/6 mice in the open field test. Chin J Physiol. 2020 Jan-Feb;63(1):27-34 Authors: Shieh KR, Yang SC Abstract Three-quarters of the lands in Taiwan are over 1000 m above sea level. Formosan wood mice (Apodemus semotus), also called Taiwanese field mice, are largely found at altitudes of 1400 ~ 3700 m and are the dominant rodents in these areas. Notably, Formosan wood mice show high levels of exploratory behaviors, not only in the wild but also in laboratory situations. Therefore, in this study, we examined the behavioral responses and central dopaminergic activities of male C57BL/6J mice and Formosan wood mice in the open field test. Dopamine and its major metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid were used as indices of dopaminergic activities. Formosan wood mice showed higher levels of exploration and locomotor activity than C57BL/6J mice in the open field test. Higher central dopaminergic activities in the nucleus accumbens, striatum, and medial prefrontal cortex were found in Formosan wood mice than in C57BL/6J mice in the open field test. Higher levels of locomotion and central dopaminergic activities in Formosan wood mice were consistent after two exposures to the open field test; however, dramatic decreases in levels of locomotion and central dopaminergic activities in C57BL/6J mice were found after two exposur...
Source: The Chinese Journal of Physiology - Category: Physiology Tags: Chin J Physiol Source Type: research