Strain-dependent differences in hippocampal glucocorticoid binding capacity and active avoidance in the mouse

Behav Brain Res. 1990 Mar 5;37(2):185-8. doi: 10.1016/0166-4328(90)90093-t.

Abstract

Maximal individual [3H]corticosterone binding capacity in the hippocampus was lower in C57BL/6 mice than in BALB/c mice, and positively correlated with active avoidance learning in the two strains. Moreover, a parallel difference in the activity of hypothalamo-pituitary adrenocortical axis (HPAA) was found, consisting in a level of plasma corticosterone in C57BL/6 higher than in BALB/c mice. These results confirm the genetically determined differences in behavior of C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice, and demonstrate their association with differences in hippocampal corticosterone binding capacity, pointing to a functional relationship between the behavioral and neuroendocrine parameters.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning / physiology*
  • Corticosterone / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / physiology*
  • Receptors, Steroid*
  • Species Specificity*

Substances

  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Receptors, Steroid
  • corticosterone receptor
  • Corticosterone