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Biomedical subjects

J H Van Abeelen

Publications and source records attributed to J H Van Abeelen.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Y-chromosomal influences on renal and adrenal measures in mice.

From a four-way cross between unrelated inbred strains of mice, a random-breeding line was developed that segregated at two coat-color loci and carried Y chromosomes from different sources. Adult males were used for measurements of body weight, kidney weight, renal papilla length, and adrenal gland weight. Clear evidence was obtained of Y-linked influences on papilla length and adrenal weight, whereas direct effects of Autosome 9 were indicated with regard to adrenal weight only. Epistatic interaction of the Y chromosome with Autosome 4 was found for kidney weight and a 4-9 interaction appeared for papilla length. The direct effects of Y-chromosomal variation are interpreted in terms of a functional relationship between adrenal action and the development of Henle's loops and, in connection with previous findings, discussed in terms of adrenal functioning in the regulation of hippocampally-mediated behaviors.

Adrenal Glands↗

Genetic selection for novelty-induced rearing behavior in mice produces changes in hippocampal mossy fiber distributions.

Previous investigations in mice revealed the existence of a set of genes that influence variations in hippocampal anatomy as well as variations in behavioral responses to novelty. In particular, a positive genetic correlation was found between the size of the intra- and infrapyramidal mossy fiber (iip-MF) projection and rearing frequency in an open-field. On the basis of these findings, we hypothesized that genetic selection for rearing would entail correlated changes in hippocampal morphology. This was tested in the inbred selection lines SRH (selection for rearing: high) and SRL (selection for rearing: low). As expected, the SRH mice appeared to possess iip-MF terminal fields that were larger than those of the SRL mice. Because the behavioral difference between the two lines is most probably caused by a single genetic unit, these animals represent valuable material for molecular-genetic investigations into the mechanisms that control behavioral and neuroanatomical variation.

Animals↗

A genotype-dependent hippocampal dynorphinergic mechanism controls mouse exploration.

Following microinjections with two dilutions of anti-dynorphin B antiserum into the hippocampal CA3 region, adult male mice from the inbred strains DBA/2 and C57BL/6 were individually tested for various exploratory behaviors in a novel environment and compared to preimmune serum control animals. Treatment augmented vertically-oriented exploratory acts in strain DBA/2 and reduced the scores in strain C57BL/6 so that strain differences originally present between the controls were reversed or eliminated after antiserum. These opposite effects indicate that a hippocampal dynorphinergic mechanism is involved in the regulation of novelty-induced behavior in mice and that its modulatory function depends on the genotype. It is concluded that DBA/2 animals exposed to novelty, as compared to C57BL/6, are characterized by an over-release of hippocampal dynorphin B which is neutralized in part by small amounts of antibody.

Animals↗

Exploratory behaviour in two selectively-bred lines of mice after intrahippocampal injection of methylscopolamine.

The temporal course of exploratory behaviour in male mice from two selected lines SRH (showing frequent rearing responses) and SRL (with less frequent rearing) following injection of methylscopolamine into the hippocampus was studied. The anticholinergic drug decreased exploration in the SRH line and prolonged it in the SRL line. The experiment supplies further proof that a cholinergic system in this brain area regulates responses to novelty and that this system is controlled by genetic factors.

Animals↗