Effect of the serotonin agonist buspirone on behaviour and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in confident and fearful mink.

摘要: Behavioural and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses were investigated in farm mink (Mustela vison) selected for either confident or fearful behaviour nine generations. Two groups of 2-year-old (n=12) female given the serotonin (5-HT) 1A receptor agonist buspirone (1.25 mg/kg/day), whereas two other saline, continuously 5 weeks via osmotic minipumps. reactions towards a novel object humans tested after 19-25 days, HPA reactivity [adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol] was measured 28-31 days treatment. Confident more exploratory than object. spent time contact with did during saline-but not buspirone-treatment. increased approach-withdrawal conflict only. The chronic dose reduce fear affect latencies to reaction, number contacts, duration manipulations, stereotypic Novel Object test. Different have emerged between mink, together different degree fear-related behaviour. Fearful higher cortisol combined lower ACTH secretion response capture blood sampling. central serotonergic system may be involved, even though precise underlying mechanisms are presently unknown, treatment 5-HT(1A) reduces difference reactivity.