Physiological and behavioral correlates of lifespan in aged C57BL/6J mice

Exp Gerontol. 1982;17(4):295-303. doi: 10.1016/0531-5565(82)90019-5.

Abstract

Physiological and behavioral measurements were made in a cohort of 29-month-old male C57BL/6J mice to determine whether any correlated significantly with lifespan. Significant linear relationships with lifespan were found among the physiological measures, including hematocrit and hemoglobin levels and collagen denaturation rate; however, body weight failed to be a significant predictor of survival. Among the behavioral variables studied, significant quadratic relationships with lifespan were found for exploratory activity and passive avoidance learning, while performance on a rotorod and a tightwire showed no significant relationships with lifespan. Through the use of multiple regression techniques, about one-third of the variance in lifespan could be explained by a combination of physiological variables, and about two-fifths could be explained by a combination of behavioral variables.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Avoidance Learning / physiology
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology*
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Exploratory Behavior
  • Hematocrit
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Longevity*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL / physiology*
  • Protein Denaturation
  • Regression Analysis

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Collagen