Sodium valproate: effects on maternal behaviour in the mouse

Whole Brain Mapping of Neurons Innervating Extraorbital Lacrimal Glands in Mice and Rats of Both Genders

The extraorbital lacrimal glands (ELGs) secret tears to maintain a homeostatic environment for ocular surfaces, and pheromones to mediate social interactions. Although its distinct gender-related differences in mice and rats have been identified, its comprehensive histology together with whole-brain neuronal network remain largely unknown. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate whether sex-specific differences take place in histological and physiological perspectives. Morphological and histological data were obtained via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in mice and rats of both genders. The innervating network was visualized by a pseudorabies virus (PRV) mediated retrograde trans-multi-synaptic tracing system for adult C57BL6/J mice of both genders. In terms of ELGs' anatomy, mice and rats across genders both have 7 main lobes, with one exception observed in female rats which have only 5 lobes. Both female rats and mice generally have relatively smaller shape size, absolute weight, and cell size than males. Our viral tracing revealed a similar trend of innervating patterns antero-posteriorly, but significant gender differences were also observed in the hypothalamus (HY), olfactory areas (OLF), and striatum (STR). Brain regions including piriform area (Pir), post-piriform transition area (TR), central amygdalar nucleus (CEA), medial amygdalar nucleus (MEA), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), parasubthalamic nucleus (PSTN), pontin reticular nucleus (caudal part) (PRNc), and parabrachial nucleus, (PB) were commonly labeled. In addition, chemical isotope labeling-assisted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (CIL-LC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR spectroscopy) were performed to reveal the fatty acids and metabolism of the ELGs, reflecting the relationship between pheromone secretion and brain network. Overall, our results revealed basic properties and the input neural networks for ELGs in both genders of mice, providing a structural basis to analyze the diverse functions of ELGs.

Epilepsy and behaviour of the Mongolian gerbil: an ethological study

Ethological procedures were used to compare behaviour characterizing seizure-sensitive and seizure-resistant gerbils and to examine motor components of their major convulsions. Seizure-sensitive gerbils showed less social investigation when encountering an unfamiliar resident than their seizure-resistant counterparts. Sequence analysis showed the motor components of major seizures to segregate into three largely independent groups comprising elements associated with clonic-tonic spasms, with subsequent extensor immobility and with returning abnormal activity which preceded the resumption of normal behaviour. In grade 4 and 5 convulsions, the motor components of clonic-tonic spasms included the elements "rigid upright posture," "foreleg treading," "fall over," "mouth spasms." Straub tail and opisthotonus which were not seen in grade 3 seizures. The durations of clonic spasms and extensor immobility were longer in seizures of grades 4 and 5 than in those of grade 3. The abnormal motor activity following extensor immobility was complex and unrelated to seizure severity. It is suggested that observational studies in epilepsy may contribute to our understanding of the underlying pathophysiological processes.