Sociability and preference for social novelty in five inbred strains: an approach to assess autistic‐like behavior in mice

Abstract

Deficits in social interaction are important early markers for autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders with strong genetic components. Standardized behavioral assays that measure the preference of mice for initiating social interactions with novel conspecifics would be of great value for mutant mouse models of autism. We developed a new procedure to assess sociability and the preference for social novelty in mice. To quantitate sociability, each mouse was scored on measures of exploration in a central habituated area, a side chamber containing an unfamiliar conspecific (stranger 1) in a wire cage, or an empty side chamber. In a secondary test, preference for social novelty was quantitated by presenting the test mouse with a choice between the first, now-familiar, conspecific (stranger 1) in one side chamber, and a second unfamiliar mouse (stranger 2) in the other side chamber. Parameters scored included time spent in each chamber and number of entries into the chambers. Five inbred strains of mice were tested, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, FVB/NJ, A/J and B6129PF2/J hybrids. Four strains showed significant levels of sociability (spending more time in the chamber containing stranger 1 than in the empty chamber) and a preference for social novelty (spending more time in the chamber containing stranger 2 than in the chamber containing the now-familiar stranger 1). These social preferences were observed in both male and female mice, and in juveniles and adults. The exception was A/J, a strain that demonstrated a preference for the central chamber. Results are discussed in terms of potential applications of the new methods, and the proper controls for the interpretation of social behavior data, including assays for health, relevant sensory abilities and motor functions. This new standardized procedure to quantitate sociability and preference for social novelty in mice provides a method to assess tendencies for social avoidance in mouse models of autism.

Maternal immune activation alters brain microRNA expression in mouse offspring

“…A three‐chambered plastic box was used to test sociability and preference for social novelty, based on a previously described protocol 18. First, for habituation, mice (MIA and control) were placed in the middle chamber and allowed to explore for 10 min.…”

CRHR1 links peripuberty stress with deficits in social and stress-coping behaviors

“…The sociability test was adapted from the protocol described by Crawley and collaborators to investigate social affiliation in male mice (Moy et al, 2004). The test was carried out in a rectangular, three-chambered gray opaque polycarbonate box (a center 20 Â 35 Â 35 cm; a left and a right compartment 30 Â 35 Â 35 cm).…”

Advances in behavioral genetics: mouse models of autism

“…Our research group has proposed a set of behavioral tests that can be used to assess social deficits and repetitive behavior in mice. [17][18][19] The testing screen includes assays for social approach and preference for social novelty, in which mice are offered a choice between different types of social and non-social stimuli. These choice tasks have provided evidence that sociability and social avoidance are dependent on genetic background.…”

“…For example, mice from C57BL/6J and FVB/NJ inbred strains, but not from the A/J, BALB/cByJ or BTBR T þ tf/J inbred strains, demonstrated significant preference for proximity to another mouse rather than being alone. [17][18][19] Overall, inbred strain phenotypes vary across a continuum of social behavior, with extremes of high social preference and overt social avoidance. 17,[20][21][22] The symptom of repetitive behavior encompasses both 'lower-order' motoric stereotypy and self-injury, and 'higher-order' responses reflecting general cognitive rigidity, such as restricted, obsessive interests and strong resistance to environmental change.…”