Epigenetic sources of behavioral differences in mice

• Published in: Nature neuroscience Vol. 6; no. 5; pp. 445 - 446
• Main Authors: Insel, Thomas R, Francis, Darlene D, Szegda, Kathleen, Campbell, Gregory, Martin, W. David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Nature Publishing Group 01.05.2003
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Behavior, Animal - physiology; Embryo Transfer - statistics & numerical data; Exploratory Behavior - physiology; Female; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Genotype; Male; Maze Learning - physiology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Physiological aspects; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Reflex, Startle - physiology; Species Specificity; United States
• ISSN: 1097-6256; 1546-1726
• DOI: 10.1038/nn1038

Inbred mouse strains are classically used to search for the genes associated with behavioral traits, including emotionality. To distinguish genetic and environmental contributions to the expression of adult behavior in mice, we investigated the effects of prenatal (embryo transfer) and postnatal (cross-fostering) environments in two strains of inbred mice with profound and reliable differences in behavior. Here we report that strain-related behavioral differences may result from environmental factors during development rather than genetic differences between the offspring.