Interaction of environmental enrichment and genotype (1972)

Manosevitz, M., Montemayor, R. J.

Abstract

Assessed the effects of exposure to an enriched environment, from birth-38 days of age, using 3 behavioral tests: open field, exploration, and running wheels. 144 inbred mice from 3 strains (A/J, C3H/HeJ, and C57BL/10J) were used as Ss in a 3 * 2 * 2 factorial design: 3 strains, enriched and control treatment, and males and females. Significant main effects due to strain, treatment, and trials were found in open-field activity, exploration, and running-wheel activity. Main effects due to strain and trials were found in open-field defecation. Genotype interacted with treatment on 3 of the 5 dependent measures and interacted with trials on all measures. Coefficients of genetic determination for the various dependent measures were between .08 and .43. Results support the hypothesis that environmental enrichment increased activity and decreased exploration.