Strain-specific aggressive behaviour of male mice submitted to different husbandry procedures (2003)

Van Loo, P. L. P., Van der Meer, E., Kruitwagen, C. L. J. J. et al.

Abstract

We used postcleaning aggressive behavior, wound counts, and testosterone levels as indicators of aggressiveness. .. Furthermore, the aggression-modulating effects of two enrichment items (ShepherdShack/DesRes and PVC tube) were explored. Marked differences found between the two strains. CD-1 mice were more aggressive, had higher testosterone levels but lower corticosterone levels, and had fewer wounds than BALB/c mice. However, in neither of two strains was long-term enrichment with nesting material and its transfer after cage cleaning effective in lasting reduction of intermale aggression.