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Distress vocalizations of young in three inbred strains of mice
Author(s) -
Nitschke Werner,
Bell Robert W.,
Zachman Thomas
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420050409
Subject(s) - inbred strain , strain (injury) , duration (music) , audiology , biology , developmental psychology , zoology , psychology , endocrinology , genetics , medicine , anatomy , physics , gene , acoustics
Vocalizations of young mice of 3 inbred strains, C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, and C3H/HeJ, were recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 days of age. Recordings were made at ambient room temperature (23.5° ± 1.5°C) or under conditions of reduced temperature (2° ± 2°C). Strains differed in terms of rate of signaling, peak frequencies of signals, and average signal duration. Peak frequencies appear to be genetically coded, and did not vary with age or ambient temperature. The effects of reduced ambient temperature on C3H/HeJ and BALB/cJ pups were to extend the age span during which frequent signaling occurs, and to increase the average signal duration throughout that age span. The C57BL/6J pups emitted fewer signals under reduced temperature, but also showed an increase in signal duration. Strain differences in age functions of signaling and the differential impact of experience on the various parameters of the vocalizations suggest that these vocalizations may be a useful behavior in monitoring genetic‐experiental interactions and developmental rates in young mice.