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Association between Novel Object Recognition/Spontaneous Alternation Behavior and Emission of Ultrasonic Vocalizations in Rats: Possible Relevance to the Study of Memory. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11081053. [PMID: 34439672 PMCID: PMC8394680 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11081053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in situations with emotional valence, and USVs have also been proposed as a marker for memories conditioned to those situations. This study investigated whether USV emissions can predict and/or be associated with the behavior of rats in tests that evaluate unconditioned memory. To this end, rats were subjected to “tickling”, a procedure of heterospecific play that has emotional valence and elicits the emission of USVs, and afterwards evaluated in the novel object recognition test (NOR) and in the single trial continuous spontaneous alternation behavior (SAB) test in a Y maze. The number of 22-kHz USVs (aversive) and 50-kHz USVs (appetitive) emitted in response to tickling and during NOR and SAB tests were scored, and the correlations among them and with rats’ behavior evaluated. Rats emitted 50-kHz USVs, but not 22-kHz USVs, during the NOR and SAB tests, and such calling behavior was not linked with the behavioral readouts indicative of memory function in either test. However, rats that prevalently emitted 22-kHz USVs in response to tickling displayed an impaired NOR performance. These findings suggest that measuring the emission of USVs could be of interest in studies of unconditioned memory, at least with regard to 22-kHz USVs.
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2
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Bombail V, Brown SM, Hammond TJ, Meddle SL, Nielsen BL, Tivey EKL, Lawrence AB. Crying With Laughter: Adapting the Tickling Protocol to Address Individual Differences Among Rats in Their Response to Playful Handling. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:677872. [PMID: 34250064 PMCID: PMC8264139 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.677872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Bombail
- Physiologie de la Nutrition et du Comportement Alimentaire (PNCA), INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Sarah M Brown
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Tayla J Hammond
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Simone L Meddle
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Birte L Nielsen
- Modélisation Systémique Appliquée aux Ruminants (MoSAR), INRAE, Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France.,Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW), Wheathampstead, United Kingdom
| | - Emma K L Tivey
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair B Lawrence
- The Roslin Institute, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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3
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Wöhr M, Kisko TM, Schwarting RK. Social Behavior and Ultrasonic Vocalizations in a Genetic Rat Model Haploinsufficient for the Cross-Disorder Risk Gene Cacna1c. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060724. [PMID: 34072335 PMCID: PMC8229447 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The top-ranked cross-disorder risk gene CACNA1C is strongly associated with multiple neuropsychiatric dysfunctions. In a recent series of studies, we applied a genomically informed approach and contributed extensively to the behavioral characterization of a genetic rat model haploinsufficient for the cross-disorder risk gene Cacna1c. Because deficits in processing social signals are associated with reduced social functioning as commonly seen in neuropsychiatric disorders, we focused on socio-affective communication through 22-kHz and 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV). Specifically, we applied a reciprocal approach for studying socio-affective communication in sender and receiver by including rough-and-tumble play and playback of 22-kHz and 50-kHz USV. Here, we review the findings obtained in this recent series of studies and link them to the key features of 50-kHz USV emission during rough-and-tumble play and social approach behavior evoked by playback of 22-kHz and 50-kHz USV. We conclude that Cacna1c haploinsufficiency in rats leads to robust deficits in socio-affective communication through 22-kHz and 50-kHz USV and associated alterations in social behavior, such as rough-and-tumble play behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Wöhr
- Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.K.); (R.K.W.S.)
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-16-19-45-57
| | - Theresa M. Kisko
- Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.K.); (R.K.W.S.)
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K.W. Schwarting
- Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany; (T.M.K.); (R.K.W.S.)
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg, D-35032 Marburg, Germany
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4
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Sexual EDC-ucation: What we Have Learned About Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Reproduction. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-020-00269-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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5
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Shahrier MA, Wada H. Effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on acoustic characteristics of play fighting-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in juvenile rats. Neurotoxicology 2020; 79:25-39. [PMID: 32294486 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Juvenile rats display rough-and-tumble playing with conspecifics (play fighting behavior) and produce 22 and 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). The 22 kHz USV is considered to reflect negative emotionality such as anxiety, fear, and distress, whereas the 50 kHz USV is considered to reflect positive emotionality such as joy, happiness, and satisfaction. USV is a sensitive tool for measuring emotionality in socially interactive situations. However, effects of prenatal ethanol-exposure on the acoustic characteristics of play fighting-induced USVs have remained unclear. In Experiment I, we recorded USVs produced by prenatally ethanol-exposed rats during play fighting on postnatal days (PNDs) 40-42 and examined the acoustic characteristics of negative and positive emotion-induced USVs. In Experiment II, we examined the anxiety levels through elevated plus maze testing on PNDs 37-39 and frequencies of playful attacks on PNDs 43-45 in ethanol-exposed rats. Ethanol was administered to pregnant rats in three gradually increased concentrations between gestational days (GDs) 8 and 20. From GDs 14 to 20, ethanol-containing tap water at concentrations of 30% and 15% (v/v) was administered to the high- and low-ethanol groups, respectively. Tap water without added ethanol was given to the control group. On PNDs 40-42, three rats from the same sex and same ethanol concentration group but from different litters were placed together into a playing cage for play fighting. The high-ethanol male triads displayed elevations of 20-35 kHz USVs reflecting negative emotionality and reductions of 45-70 kHz USVs reflecting positive emotionality compared with both the low-ethanol and control male triads. The high-ethanol male triads had prominent elevations of 20-35 kHz USVs with durations longer than 200 ms, whereas the control male triads did not produce such 20-35 kHz USVs at all. There was no difference in USV acoustic characteristics among the female triads. In addition, the high-ethanol male rats exhibited greater anxiety levels and less frequencies of play fighting than the control male rats. Altogether, we conclude that prenatal exposure to ethanol enhances negative emotionality such as anxiety and, accordingly, 20-35 kHz USVs reflecting negative emotionality are produced with a marked decrease in play fighting, suggesting difficulties in social interactions with conspecifics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Ashik Shahrier
- Department of Psychology, Graduate School of Letters, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Hiromi Wada
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Human Sciences, Hokkaido University, Kita 10 Nishi 7 Kita-Ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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6
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Siviy SM. How strain differences could help decipher the neurobiology of mammalian playfulness: What the less playful Fischer 344 rat can tell us about play. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLAY 2020; 9:9-24. [PMID: 33717643 PMCID: PMC7954129 DOI: 10.1080/21594937.2020.1721024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Play is common among the young of many mammalian species. How that play is exhibited results from a dynamic interplay between genetic framework and experiential influences that, in turn, operate on hard-wired brain systems. One approach towards understanding how genes and environment interact with brain substrates to yield a particular playful phenotype is to take advantage of inbred strains of rats that come with a known genetic identity and assess the effects of varying early social experiences and targeted neurobiological interventions on rats of these strains. This paper primarily summarizes research utilizing the F344 inbred strain, a rat that consistently plays less than most other strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Siviy
- Dept. of Psychology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
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7
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Gerson CA, Mac Cionnaith CE, Quintana GR, Pfaus JG. Effects of ovarian hormones on the emission of 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations during distributed clitoral stimulation in the rat. Horm Behav 2019; 109:1-9. [PMID: 30690029 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Revised: 12/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Fifty-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are emitted by adult rats during appetitive phases of behavior in response to stimuli thought to be associated with a positive affective state. In particular, 50-kHz USVs with rapid frequency oscillations, known as trills and flat-trills, in which these oscillations are flanked by a monotonic portion, are together positively correlated with appetitive behaviors such as rough and tumble play, drug and natural reward, and mating. Female rats produce 50-kHz USVs during a variety of sexual contexts, yet data are still vague as female sexual behavior is seldom studied on its own. Distributed clitoral stimulation (CLS) offers a unique approach to investigating female 50-kHz USVs as it mimics stimulation received during mating. Although CLS induces a sexual reward state, it is unknown whether CLS elicits trills and flat-trills. We addressed this question using eight ovariectomized rats, we investigated whether ovarian hormones augmented these call subtypes in response to CLS. The combined and separate effects of estradiol benzoate (EB) and progesterone (P), and oil vehicle were assessed through comparison of these call subtypes between CLS and inter-CLS interval. We found that CLS with EB + P significantly increased call duration and rate, lowered peak frequency, and widened the bandwidth of trills. Flat-trills showed a similar pattern except for call duration. Call distribution during the CLS and inter-CLS interval suggest that trill and flat-trills may be indicative of both anticipatory and sexual reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine A Gerson
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Conall E Mac Cionnaith
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gonzalo Renato Quintana
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - James G Pfaus
- Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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8
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Kisko TM, Braun MD, Michels S, Witt SH, Rietschel M, Culmsee C, Schwarting RKW, Wöhr M. Sex‐dependent effects of
Cacna1c
haploinsufficiency on juvenile social play behavior and pro‐social 50‐kHz ultrasonic communication in rats. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 19:e12552. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M. Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Moria D. Braun
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Susanne Michels
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical PharmacyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Stephanie H. Witt
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine MannheimRuprecht‐Karls‐Universität Heidelberg Mannheim Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine MannheimRuprecht‐Karls‐Universität Heidelberg Mannheim Germany
| | - Carsten Culmsee
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical PharmacyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Rainer K. W. Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Department of PsychologyPhilipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB)Philipps‐Universität Marburg Marburg Germany
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9
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Chronic stress sensitizes amphetamine-elicited 50-kHz calls in the rat: Dependence on positive affective phenotype and effects of long-term fluoxetine pretreatment. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2018; 171:10-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2018.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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10
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Fendt M, Brosch M, Wernecke KEA, Willadsen M, Wöhr M. Predator odour but not TMT induces 22-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in rats that lead to defensive behaviours in conspecifics upon replay. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11041. [PMID: 30038341 PMCID: PMC6056510 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Predator odours induce defensive behaviour in prey animals such as rats. The present study investigated (1) whether laboratory rats exposed to predator odours emit 22-kHz calls which may have an alarming function and (2) whether playback of such calls induces behavioural changes in conspecifics. For this, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to samples of fox and lion urine, as well as to the synthetic predator odour TMT. Despite that all odours induced defensive behaviour, only predator urine samples but not TMT were able to induce 22-kHz calls in a few rats. In a second experiment, naive rats were exposed to playback presentations of the 22-kHz calls recorded in the first experiment, as well as to phase-scrambled and frequency-shifted control stimuli. Low intensity playback presentations led to a reduction of locomotor activity during the presentation of the 22-kHz calls but not of the control stimuli. This effect was less specific under high intensity conditions. Taken together the present findings show that natural predator odours are able to induce emission of 22-kHz calls in rats and support the hypothesis that these calls have an alarming function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Fendt
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Marcel Brosch
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Integrative Neuroscience Program, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kerstin E A Wernecke
- Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center of Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Maria Willadsen
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Phillips-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Phillips-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Phillips-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany. .,Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior (CMBB), Phillips-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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11
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Douglas HM, Halverstadt BA, Reinhart-Anez P, Webber ES, Cromwell HC. A possible social relative reward effect: Influences of outcome inequity between rats during operant responding. Behav Processes 2018; 157:459-469. [PMID: 29990520 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2018.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Social interactions/situations have dramatic influences on motivation. Creating animal models examining these influences promotes a better understanding of the psychological and biological underpinnings of social motivation. Rodents are sensitive to social history/experience during associative conditioning and food-sharing tasks. Would reward-oriented operant behavior be sensitive to social influences by showing a negative contrast-like effect when another organism obtains a greater value outcome? We used a side-by-side arrangement of operant response chambers wherein one animal obtained consistently high reward signaled by a discrete cue. The neighboring, experimental rat experienced different combinations of high and low reward trial sequences. Control conditions included distraction from a conspecific in the neighboring chamber (rat distractor) or cue/food dispenser operating without a conspecific (program distractor) in addition to testing subjects alone. Results support an influence of the other animal actively performing the task on the experimental subject's behavior. Primarily, responding was significantly slower for the low reward trials while the neighboring rat was receiving the higher magnitude reward. The lever-press and not food-cup retrieval latency was significantly slower during exposure to a conspecific neighbor performing the operant task. The effect was not obtained in all session sequences and was more pronounced using longer series of consecutive low reward trials. The slowing effect was also obtained with the program-distractor experience in a different trial sequence. These findings suggest a social-induced negative incentive contrast effect in rats possibly mediated by an outcome inequity process that could have key similarities to complex situational-affective effects on motivation involving frustration or jealously.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Douglas
- Department of Psychology and John Paul Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, United States
| | - B A Halverstadt
- Department of Psychology and John Paul Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, United States
| | - P Reinhart-Anez
- Department of Psychology and John Paul Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, United States
| | - E S Webber
- Department of Psychology and John Paul Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, United States
| | - H C Cromwell
- Department of Psychology and John Paul Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, 43403, United States.
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12
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Knoll AT, Jiang K, Levitt P. Quantitative trait locus mapping and analysis of heritable variation in affiliative social behavior and co-occurring traits. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 17:e12431. [PMID: 29052939 PMCID: PMC5910301 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans exhibit broad heterogeneity in affiliative social behavior. Twin and family studies show that individual differences in core dimensions of social behavior are heritable, yet there are knowledge gaps in understanding the underlying genetic and neurobiological mechanisms. Animal genetic reference panels (GRPs) provide a tractable strategy for examining the behavioral and genetic architecture of complex traits. Here, using males from 50 mouse strains from the BXD GRP, 4 domains of affiliative social behavior-social approach, social recognition, direct social interaction (DSI) (partner sniffing) and vocal communication-were examined in 2 widely used behavioral tasks-the 3-chamber and DSI tasks. There was continuous and broad variation in social and nonsocial traits, with moderate to high heritability of social approach sniff preference (0.31), ultrasonic vocalization (USV) count (0.39), partner sniffing (0.51), locomotor activity (0.54-0.66) and anxiety-like behavior (0.36). Principal component analysis shows that variation in social and nonsocial traits are attributable to 5 independent factors. Genome-wide mapping identified significant quantitative trait loci for USV count on chromosome (Chr) 18 and locomotor activity on Chr X, with suggestive loci and candidate quantitative trait genes identified for all traits with one notable exception-partner sniffing in the DSI task. The results show heritable variation in sociability, which is independent of variation in activity and anxiety-like traits. In addition, a highly heritable and ethological domain of affiliative sociability-partner sniffing-appears highly polygenic. These findings establish a basis for identifying functional natural variants, leading to a new understanding typical and atypical sociability.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. T. Knoll
- Program in Developmental NeurogeneticsInstitute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los AngelesLos AngelesCA
- Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA
| | - K. Jiang
- Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA
| | - P. Levitt
- Program in Developmental NeurogeneticsInstitute for the Developing Mind, The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los AngelesLos AngelesCA
- Department of PediatricsKeck School of Medicine of the University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCA
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13
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Abstract
Play is an important part of normal childhood development and seen in many mammals, including rats. To better understand the interplay between genotype and postnatal experiences, the effects of neonatal handling on play were assessed in Lewis (LEW) and Fischer 344 (F344) rats. Handled litters experienced brief periods of separation during the first two postnatal weeks. F344 rats were less likely to direct nape contacts toward an untreated Sprague-Dawley (SD) partner and less likely to rotate to a supine position in response to a nape contact. When compared to rats from control litters, handled LEW, and F344 rats were more likely to respond to nape contacts with complete rotations, suggesting that handling increased playful responsiveness to a comparable extent in both strains. SD rats paired with handled inbred rats had more nape contacts than those paired with non-handled rats. While handled LEW rats also tended to direct more nape contacts to the SD partner than non-handled LEW rats there was no difference between handled and non-handled F344 rats. These results could not be readily explained by handling-induced changes in either maternal care or anxiety. These data suggest that the behavioral consequences of neonatal handling may not depend to a great extent on the genetic platform that these manipulations are acting on. These data also suggest that the ability to maintain the ebb and flow between playful solicitation and playful responsiveness may be compromised in F344 rats and may contribute to the lower levels of play in this strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Siviy
- Department of Psychology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
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14
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Mapping trait-like socio-affective phenotypes in rats through 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:83-98. [PMID: 28971233 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4746-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Fifty-kilohertz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in rats are believed to express inter-individual differences in trait-like positive affective phenotypes. Emission of 50-kHz USV can be induced by amphetamine (AMPH) to model mania-like positive affect, raising the possibility that predispositions for high 50-kHz USV production confer susceptibility to mania-like states. Such 50-kHz USV presumably express the sender's motivation for social contact and elicit social approach behavior in receivers. OBJECTIVES We recently showed that AMPH-induced 50-kHz USV are paralleled by mania-like patterns of enhanced social approach behavior towards playback of 50-kHz USV. Here, we assessed whether these AMPH effects are dependent on trait-like inter-individual differences in 50-kHz USV production. METHODS To this aim, we subdivided juvenile rats into those emitting low (LC) and high (HC) rates of baseline 50-kHz USV and compared them across four AMPH dosage conditions: 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 mg/kg. RESULTS HC rats were considerably more susceptible to AMPH in inducing 50-kHz USV than LC rats, consistently across all examined doses. They further appeared to attribute more incentive salience to signals of rewarding social contact, as evidenced by enhanced social approach behavior towards 50-kHz USV playback, a response pattern also seen in LC rats after receiving AMPH treatment. HC but not LC rats emitted aversive 22-kHz USV following 50-kHz USV playback, indicating increased proneness to experience negative affective states if no actual social consequence followed the incentive signal. CONCLUSION Inter-individual differences in 50-kHz USV map onto a unique trait-like socio-affective phenotype associated with enhanced emotional reactivity towards social and non-social reward, possibly conferring risk to mania-like states.
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15
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Pellis SM, Burke CJ, Kisko TM, Euston DR. 50-kHz Vocalizations, Play and the Development of Social Competence. HANDBOOK OF ULTRASONIC VOCALIZATION - A WINDOW INTO THE EMOTIONAL BRAIN 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-809600-0.00011-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
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16
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Ultrasonic communication in rats: appetitive 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations as social contact calls. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-017-2427-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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17
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Boulanger-Bertolus J, Rincón-Cortés M, Sullivan RM, Mouly AM. Understanding pup affective state through ethologically significant ultrasonic vocalization frequency. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13483. [PMID: 29044126 PMCID: PMC5647438 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13518-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Throughout life, rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) when confronted with an aversive situation. However, the conditions classically used to elicit USV vary greatly with the animal's age (isolation from the dam in infancy, versus nociceptive stimulation in adults). The present study is the first to characterize USV responses to the same aversive event throughout development. Specifically, infant, juvenile and adult rats were presented with mild foot-shocks and their USV frequency, duration, and relationship with respiration and behavior were compared. In juvenile and adult rats, a single class of USV is observed with an age-dependent main frequency and duration (30 kHz/400 ms in juveniles, 22 kHz/900 ms in adults). In contrast, infant rat USV were split into two classes with specific relationships with respiration and behavior: 40 kHz/300 ms and 66 kHz/21 ms. Next, we questioned if these infant USV were also emitted in a more naturalistic context by exposing pups to interactions with the mother treating them roughly. This treatment enhanced 40-kHz USV while leaving 66-kHz USV unchanged suggesting that the use of USV goes far beyond a signal studied in terms of amount of emission, and can inform us about some aspects of the infant's affective state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Boulanger-Bertolus
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028; CNRS UMR5292; University Lyon1, Lyon, France.
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
| | - Millie Rincón-Cortés
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Regina M Sullivan
- Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Mouly
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028; CNRS UMR5292; University Lyon1, Lyon, France
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Engelhardt KA, Schwarting RKW, Wöhr M. Mapping trait-like socio-affective phenotypes in rats through 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017. [PMID: 28971233 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4746-y)] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Fifty-kilohertz ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in rats are believed to express inter-individual differences in trait-like positive affective phenotypes. Emission of 50-kHz USV can be induced by amphetamine (AMPH) to model mania-like positive affect, raising the possibility that predispositions for high 50-kHz USV production confer susceptibility to mania-like states. Such 50-kHz USV presumably express the sender's motivation for social contact and elicit social approach behavior in receivers. OBJECTIVES We recently showed that AMPH-induced 50-kHz USV are paralleled by mania-like patterns of enhanced social approach behavior towards playback of 50-kHz USV. Here, we assessed whether these AMPH effects are dependent on trait-like inter-individual differences in 50-kHz USV production. METHODS To this aim, we subdivided juvenile rats into those emitting low (LC) and high (HC) rates of baseline 50-kHz USV and compared them across four AMPH dosage conditions: 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.5 mg/kg. RESULTS HC rats were considerably more susceptible to AMPH in inducing 50-kHz USV than LC rats, consistently across all examined doses. They further appeared to attribute more incentive salience to signals of rewarding social contact, as evidenced by enhanced social approach behavior towards 50-kHz USV playback, a response pattern also seen in LC rats after receiving AMPH treatment. HC but not LC rats emitted aversive 22-kHz USV following 50-kHz USV playback, indicating increased proneness to experience negative affective states if no actual social consequence followed the incentive signal. CONCLUSION Inter-individual differences in 50-kHz USV map onto a unique trait-like socio-affective phenotype associated with enhanced emotional reactivity towards social and non-social reward, possibly conferring risk to mania-like states.
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Affiliation(s)
- K -Alexander Engelhardt
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Rainer K W Schwarting
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
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Lampe JF, Burman O, Würbel H, Melotti L. Context-dependent individual differences in playfulness in male rats. Dev Psychobiol 2017; 59:460-472. [PMID: 28247407 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Play has been proposed as an indicator of positive emotions and welfare in higher vertebrates. This study investigated playfulness in male rats by exploring its consistency across motivational states (with/without prior short social isolation) and two age points at early and late adolescence. Twenty-four male Lister Hooded rats housed in cages of four underwent two play tests: conspecific Play-in-Pairs and Tickling by the experimenter, which were compared with play in the home cage and basal anxiety levels. Play-in-Pairs measures were consistent across age and motivational states, and were independent from anxiety. Positively valenced vocalizations in the Tickling test were also consistent across age, yet were negatively related to anxiety. Play-in-Pairs and Tickling play contexts, as well as social and solitary play types, were unrelated. Therefore, this study supports the existence of consistent individual differences in playfulness in rats, and suggests that different play contexts and types represent motivationally distinct systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica F Lampe
- Division of Animal Welfare, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Burman
- Joseph Banks Laboratories, School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - Hanno Würbel
- Division of Animal Welfare, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Luca Melotti
- Division of Animal Welfare, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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20
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Kisko TM, Wöhr M, Pellis VC, Pellis SM. From Play to Aggression: High-Frequency 50-kHz Ultrasonic Vocalizations as Play and Appeasement Signals in Rats. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2017; 30:91-108. [PMID: 26728173 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2015_432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
When rats engage in playful interactions, they emit appetitive 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). We investigated the role of 50-kHz USVs in the playful behavior of both juvenile and adult rats. A cohort of juvenile rats was surgically devocalized and allowed to interact with either devocalized or intact partners as juveniles and again as adults. A substantial decrease in playful motivation was seen for pairs of devocalized rats, as well as all intact rats housed with devocalized ones. In pairs in which at least one partner could vocalize, there was no difference in the number of playful interactions as compared to controls. Further investigation revealed that, within the playful episode itself, 50-kHz USVs are more likely to appear before a playful attack is launched than after, regardless of the attacking partner's ability to vocalize, and when one partner is pinned on its back by another, it is the rat that is on top that is more likely to emit 50-kHz USVs. These findings suggest that, for juveniles, 50-kHz USVs may have a critical function in maintaining and facilitating playful motivation, but a more limited role in signaling playful actions. In adults, however, whatever the motivational role of such calling may be, the various kinds of USVs appear to serve critical communicatory functions. For instance, when pairs of adult males that are unfamiliar with one another encounter each other in a neutral arena, they play together, but if one partner is devocalized, there is a significantly higher likelihood that the interaction will escalate to become aggressive. While the relative roles of appetitive 50-kHz and aversive 22-kHz USVs in this context remain to be determined, our overall findings for play in both juveniles and adults suggest that 50-kHz USVs likely have multiple functions, with different functions being more prevalent at some ages and contexts than others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa M Kisko
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr. 18, D-35032, Marburg, Germany
| | - Vivien C Pellis
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
| | - Sergio M Pellis
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada
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21
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Inagaki H, Ushida T. Changes in acoustic startle reflex in rats induced by playback of 22-kHz calls. Physiol Behav 2016; 169:189-194. [PMID: 27876638 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In aversive or dangerous situations, adult rats emit long characteristic ultrasonic calls, often termed "22-kHz calls," which have been suggested to play a role of alarm calls. Although the playback experiment is one of the most effective ways to investigate the alarming properties of 22-kHz calls, clear behavioral evidence showing the anxiogenic effects of these playback stimuli has not been directly obtained to date. In this study, we investigated whether playback of 22-kHz calls or synthesized sine tones could change the acoustic startle reflex (ASR), enhancement of which is widely considered to be a reliable index of anxiety-related negative affective states in rats. Playback of 22-kHz calls significantly enhanced the ASR in rats. Enhancement effects caused by playback of 22-kHz calls from young rats were relatively weak compared to those after calls from adult rats. Playback of synthesized 25-kHz sine tones enhanced ASR in subjects, but not synthesized 60-kHz tones. Further, shortening the individual call duration of synthesized 25-kHz sine tones also enhanced the ASR. Accordingly, it is suggested that 22-kHz calls induce anxiety by socially communicated alarming signals in rats. The results also demonstrated that call frequency, i.e., of 22kHz, appears important for ultrasonic alarm-signal communication in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Inagaki
- Center for Animal Research and Education, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Ushida
- Multidisciplinary Pain Center, Aichi Medical University, Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi 480-1195, Japan
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22
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Abstract
Play is an important part of normal childhood development and is seen in varied forms among many mammals. While not indispensable to normal development, playful social experiences as juveniles may provide an opportunity to develop flexible behavioral strategies when novel and uncertain situations arise as an adult. To understand the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for play and how the functions of play may relate to these neural substrates, the rat has become the model of choice. Play in the rat is easily quantified, tightly regulated, and can be modulated by genetic factors and postnatal experiences. Brain areas most likely to be involved in the modulation of play include regions within the prefrontal cortex, dorsal and ventral striatum, some regions of the amygdala, and habenula. This paper discusses what we currently know about the neurobiological substrates of play and how this can help illuminate functional questions about the putative benefits of play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M Siviy
- Department of Psychology, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 17325, USA
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23
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MacRae M, Kenkel WM, Kentner AC. Social rejection following neonatal inflammation is mediated by olfactory scent cues. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 49:43-8. [PMID: 25744105 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life exposure to inflammation has been associated with several behavioral and cognitive deficits detected in adulthood. However, early behavioral changes have not been well described in rodent models of infection, specifically with respect to social behavior. In the present work we show that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge at 3 and 5days of age reduced overall social contact time in male juvenile rats, primarily mediated by the amount of contact they received from a novel conspecific. Given that there are important sensory, motor, and motivational components that underlie social interaction we sought to uncover the mechanism(s) responsible for the reduced social contact directed towards neonatal (n)LPS treated animals. Using an intranasal perfusion procedure, we induced a ZnSO4 lesion in a subset of novel conspecifics, effectively disrupting their olfactory processing via olfactory neuroepithelium degeneration. Overall, this procedure equalized the amount of social contact directed towards nLPS animals compared to nsaline rats. To determine whether nLPS disrupted auditory communication we evaluated ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) for the total number and duration of calls, and the average duration and frequency from each vocalization recording. There were no differences in USVs across treatment groups. Treating nLPS rats with diazepam maintained the level of social contact they initiated, compared to the stress-induced decrease observed in their saline treated counterparts. However, diazepam did not stabilize the amount of contact directed towards them. Together, this indicates that neither vocalized motor pathways nor anxiety cues, mediated by auditory/motor communication, are involved in the social deficits following nLPS. Instead, our data suggest that olfactory indicators, likely mediated through microbiota/immunomodulatory scent signals underlie the reductions in social contact that follow neonatal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M MacRae
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, MCPHS University (formerly Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences), Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - W M Kenkel
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - A C Kentner
- School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, MCPHS University (formerly Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences), Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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Lukas M, Wöhr M. Endogenous vasopressin, innate anxiety, and the emission of pro-social 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations during social play behavior in juvenile rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2015; 56:35-44. [PMID: 25800147 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Revised: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Although the involvement of the neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rodent social interaction is already extensively characterized, little is known about its role in social communication. Rats communicate in the ultrasonic range by means of ultrasonic vocalizations (USV). Depending on developmental stage and affective state, rats emit various distinct types of USV, with appetitive 50-kHz USV being induced by positive social interactions, like juvenile social play, probably serving an affiliative communicative function, namely to (re)establish or induce social proximity. In rats and mice selectively bred for low (LAB) and high (HAB) anxiety-related behavior, the emission of isolation-induced distress USV during maternal deprivation as pups correlates with innate high levels of hypothalamic AVP availability. Moreover, male LAB and HAB rats express deficits in social approach towards conspecifics, together with high and/or abnormal forms of aggression when confronted with harmless opponents, possibly due to a lack of social communication skills. The aim of this study was therefore (1) to investigate and characterize social play behavior and concomitant pro-social 50-kHz USV emission in male and female, juvenile LAB and HAB rats and to compare them to non-selected Wistar (NAB) rats; and (2) to link these findings pharmacologically to the central AVP system via applying an AVP 1a receptor (V1aR) antagonist (0.75 μg; Manning compound) or synthetic AVP (1 ng) into the lateral ventricle of male juvenile NAB rats. Our results show that reduced social play behavior in highly anxious male and female, juvenile HAB rats is accompanied by low amounts of pro-social 50-kHz USV, as compared to respective LAB and NAB rats, possibly reflecting a lack of positive affective states in expectation of or following social interactions in these individuals. Secondly, although synthetic AVP did not alter social play behavior and pro-social 50-kHz USV, we demonstrated for the first time that a blockade of the central AVP system not only reduces juvenile social play behavior, but at the same time pro-social 50-kHz USV emission rates, indicating an involvement of the social neuropeptide in regulating affiliative communication in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Lukas
- Behavioral and Molecular Neurobiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Faculty of Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany.
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25
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Webber ES, Chambers NE, Kostek JA, Mankin DE, Cromwell HC. Relative reward effects on operant behavior: Incentive contrast, induction and variety effects. Behav Processes 2015; 116:87-99. [PMID: 25979604 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Comparing different rewards automatically produces dynamic relative outcome effects on behavior. Each new outcome exposure is to an updated version evaluated relative to alternatives. Relative reward effects include incentive contrast, positive induction and variety effects. The present study utilized a novel behavioral design to examine relative reward effects on a chain of operant behavior using auditory cues. Incentive contrast is the most often examined effect and focuses on increases or decreases in behavioral performance after value upshifts (positive) or downshifts (negative) relative to another outcome. We examined the impact of comparing two reward outcomes in a repeated measures design with three sessions: a single outcome and a mixed outcome and a final single outcome session. Relative reward effects should be apparent when comparing trials for the identical outcome between the single and mixed session types. An auditory cue triggered a series of operant responses (nosepoke-leverpress-food retrieval), and we measured possible contrast effects for different reward magnitude combinations. We found positive contrast for trials with the greatest magnitude differential but positive induction or variety effects in other combinations. This behavioral task could be useful for analyzing environmental or neurobiological factors involved in reward comparisons, decision-making and choice during instrumental, goal-directed action.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Webber
- Department of Psychology and J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - N E Chambers
- Department of Psychology and J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - J A Kostek
- Department of Psychology and J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - D E Mankin
- Department of Psychology and J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
| | - H C Cromwell
- Department of Psychology and J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA.
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26
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Binkley KA, Webber ES, Powers DD, Cromwell HC. Emotion and relative reward processing: an investigation on instrumental successive negative contrast and ultrasonic vocalizations in the rat. Behav Processes 2014; 107:167-74. [PMID: 25150068 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Incentive contrast effects include changes in behavioral responses after a reward upshift (positive contrast) or downshift (negative contrast). Proposed influences on these behavioral changes are emotional state reactions after experiencing or anticipating a change in reward outcome. Rat ultrasonic vocalizations have been shown to be indicators of emotional state during behavior and anticipatory periods. The objective of the present study was to monitor rodent ultrasounds during incentive contrast using a classical runway procedure called instrumental successive negative contrast. The procedure is one that has been used often to examine incentive relativity because of its reliability in measuring negative contrast effects. Rats were trained to run in the alleyway to receive a high (12 pellets) or low magnitude (1 pellet) outcome. The high magnitude was then shifted to the low and running speeds in the alleyway for the reward and USV emission were compared. Replicating previous work, a negative contrast effect was observed with postshift running speeds significantly slower in the shifted group compared to the unshifted group. USVs did not follow the same pattern with an apparent lack of significant differences between the groups following the reward downshift. We also tested another group of animals using a visual predictive cue in the same runway test. When visual cues predicted high or low magnitude outcome, no incentive contrast was found for the running speeds following an outcome downshift, but a weak contrast effect was observed for the USV emission. These results demonstrate a separation between USVs and behavioral indicators of incentive contrast suggesting that concomitant shifts in negative affect may not be necessary for anticipatory relative reward processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Binkley
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, United States
| | - E S Webber
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, United States
| | - D D Powers
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, United States
| | - H C Cromwell
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, United States.
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27
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Himmler B, Kisko T, Euston D, Kolb B, Pellis S. Are 50-kHz calls used as play signals in the playful interactions of rats? I. Evidence from the timing and context of their use. Behav Processes 2014; 106:60-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2014.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Revised: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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28
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Buck CL, Malavar JC, George O, Koob GF, Vendruscolo LF. Anticipatory 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations are associated with escalated alcohol intake in dependent rats. Behav Brain Res 2014; 271:171-6. [PMID: 24914463 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Rats emit 50kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in situations of increased motivation, such as during the anticipation of palatable food or drugs of abuse. Whether the same holds true for the anticipation of alcohol intake remains unknown. Alcohol drinking in a nondependent state is thought to be mediated by its rewarding effects (positive reinforcement), whereas drinking in the dependent state is motivated by alcohol's stress-relieving effects (negative reinforcement). Here, we measured context-elicited 50kHz USVs in alcohol-dependent (alcohol vapor-exposed) and nondependent rats immediately before operant alcohol self-administration sessions. Dependent rats showed escalated levels of alcohol intake compared with nondependent rats. Overall, dependent and nondependent rats showed similar levels of anticipatory 50kHz USVs. However, the number of anticipatory USVs was positively correlated with alcohol intake in dependent rats but not nondependent rats. Additionally, dependent rats with higher alcohol intake displayed increased anticipatory 50kHz USVs compared with rats that had lower alcohol intake, whereas no difference was observed between rats with high and low alcohol intake in the nondependent group. Increased 50kHz USVs were specific for the anticipation of alcohol self-administration and did not generalize to a novel environment. These findings suggest that anticipatory 50kHz USVs may be an indicator of context-elicited negative reinforcement learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara L Buck
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States; Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
| | - Jordan C Malavar
- Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Olivier George
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - George F Koob
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, United States
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29
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Pro-social ultrasonic communication in rats: insights from playback studies. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 234:73-81. [PMID: 24508146 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Rodent ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) serve as situation-dependent affective signals and convey important communicative functions. In the rat, three major USV types exist: (I) 40-kHz USV, which are emitted by pups during social isolation; (II) 22-kHz USV, which are produced by juvenile and adult rats in aversive situations, including social defeat; and (III) 50-kHz USV, which are uttered by juvenile and adult rats in appetitive situations, including rough-and-tumble play. Here, evidence for a communicative function of 50-kHz USV is reviewed, focusing on findings obtained in the recently developed 50-kHz USV radial maze playback paradigm. Up to now, the following five acoustic stimuli were tested in this paradigm: (A) natural 50-kHz USV, (B) natural 22-kHz USV, (C) artificial 50-kHz sine wave tones, (D) artificial time- and amplitude-matched white noise, and (E) background noise. All studies using the 50-kHz USV radial maze playback paradigm indicate that 50-kHz USV serve a pro-social affiliative function as social contact calls. While playback of the different kinds of acoustic stimuli used so far elicited distinct behavioral response patterns, 50-kHz USV consistently led to social approach behavior in the recipient, indicating that pro-social ultrasonic communication can be studied in a reliable and highly standardized manner by means of the 50-kHz USV radial maze playback paradigm. This appears to be particularly relevant for rodent models of neurodevelopmental disorders, as there is a tremendous need for reliable behavioral assays with face validity to social communication deficits seen in autism and schizophrenia in order to study underlying genetic and neurobiological alterations.
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30
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Webber ES, Mankin DE, McGraw JJ, Beckwith TJ, Cromwell HC. Ultrasonic vocalizations, predictability and sensorimotor gating in the rat. Behav Brain Res 2013; 253:32-41. [PMID: 23850353 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is a measure of sensorimotor gating in diverse groups of animals including humans. Emotional states can influence PPI in humans both in typical subjects and in individuals with mental illness. Little is known about emotional regulation during PPI in rodents. We used ultrasonic vocalization recording to monitor emotional states in rats during PPI testing. We altered the predictability of the PPI trials to examine any alterations in gating and emotional regulation. We also examined PPI in animals selectively bred for high or low levels of 50kHz USV emission. Rats emitted high levels of 22kHz calls consistently throughout the PPI session. USVs were sensitive to prepulses during the PPI session similar to startle. USV rate was sensitive to predictability among the different levels tested and across repeated experiences. Startle and inhibition of startle were not affected by predictability in a similar manner. No significant differences for PPI or startle were found related to the different levels of predictability; however, there was a reduction in USV signals and an enhancement of PPI after repeated exposure. Animals selectively bred to emit high levels of USVs emitted significantly higher levels of USVs during the PPI session and a reduced ASR compared to the low and random selective lines. Overall, the results support the idea that PPI tests in rodents induce high levels of negative affect and that manipulating emotional styles of the animals alters the negative impact of the gating session as well as the intensity of the startle response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily S Webber
- Department of Psychology & the J.P. Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43402, USA
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Rats selectively bred for low levels of play-induced 50 kHz vocalizations as a model for autism spectrum disorders: a role for NMDA receptors. Behav Brain Res 2013; 251:18-24. [PMID: 23623884 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Revised: 04/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Early childhood autism is characterized by deficits in social approach and play behaviors, socio-emotional relatedness, and communication/speech abnormalities, as well as repetitive behaviors. These core neuropsychological features of autism can be modeled in laboratory rats, and the results may be useful for drug discovery and therapeutic development. We review data that show that rats selectively bred for low rates of play-related pro-social ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) can be used to model social deficit symptoms of autism. Low-line animals engage in less social contact time with conspecifics, show lower rates of play induced pro-social USVs, and show an increased proportion of non-frequency modulated (i.e. monotonous) ultrasonic vocalizations compared to non-selectively bred random-line animals. Gene expression patterns in the low-line animals show significant enrichment in autism-associated genes, and the NMDA receptor family was identified as a significant hub. Treatment of low-line animals with the NMDAR functional glycine site partial agonist, GLYX-13, rescued the deficits in play-induced pro-social 50-kHz USVs and reduced monotonous USVs. Since the NMDA receptor has been implicated in the genesis of autistic symptoms, it is possible that GLYX-13 may be of therapeutic value in the treatment of autism.
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Wöhr M, Schwarting RKW. Affective communication in rodents: ultrasonic vocalizations as a tool for research on emotion and motivation. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 354:81-97. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1607-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2013] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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