Inconsistent effects of photoperiod manipulations in tests for affective-like changes in mice: Implications for the selection of appropriate model animals

Shlomit Flaisher-Grinberg, Darcie R. Gampetro, Noga Kronfeld-Schor, Haim Einat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Deficiencies in appropriate animal models are a significant factor hindering the research of affective disorders. Significant data suggest that systems related to circadian rhythms are strongly linked to affective changes, but study with animal models in this context had unclear and inconsistent results. Circadian physiology is significantly different in diurnal and nocturnal animals and a recent project showed that in diurnal rodents, short photoperiods induce depression and anxiety-like phenotypes. This study was designed to evaluate the possibility that using a similar methodology would also result in behavioral changes in nocturnal mice. Mice from two strains were maintained in either short photoperiod, neutral photoperiod or long photoperiod for 3 weeks and tested for depression or anxiety-related behaviors, as done earlier with the diurnal rodents. Tests included activity levels, sweet solution preference, elevated plus-maze, residentintruder aggression, and forced swim test. Tests were conducted either during the light phase or during the dark phase of the mice. In contrast to the clear phenotype in diurnal rodents, the effects of photoperiod manipulations in nocturnal mice were inconsistent. These results suggest that diurnal rodents may be advantageous compared with nocturnal species for studies exploring the relationship between circadian rhythms and affective disorders.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)23-30
Number of pages8
JournalBehavioural Pharmacology
Volume22
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Animal models
  • Circadian rhythms
  • Depression
  • Diurnality
  • Mouse
  • Test battery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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