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Enhancement of Aggression Induced by Isolation Rearing is Associated with a Lack of Central Serotonin.

ABSTRACT: Isolation rearing (IR) enhances aggressive behavior, and the central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system has been linked to IR-induced aggression. However, whether the alteration of central serotonin is the cause or consequence of enhanced aggression is still unknown. In the present study, using mice deficient in central serotonin Tph2-/- and Lmx1b-/-, we examined the association between central serotonin and aggression with or without social isolation. We demonstrated that central serotonergic neurons are critical for the enhanced aggression after IR. 5-HT depletion in wild-type mice increased aggression. On the other hand, application of 5-HT in Lmx1b-/- mice inhibited the enhancement of aggression under social isolation conditions. Dopamine was downregulated in Lmx1b-/- mice. Similar to 5-HT, L-DOPA decreased aggression in Lmx1b-/- mice. Our results link the serotoninergic system directly to aggression and this may have clinical implications for aggression-related human conditions.

SUBMITTER: Liu Y

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6754493 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Enhancement of Aggression Induced by Isolation Rearing is Associated with a Lack of Central Serotonin.

Liu Yiqiong Y Sun Yunong Y Zhao Xiaoyan X Kim Ji-Young JY Luo Lu L Wang Qian Q Meng Xiaolu X Li Yonghui Y Sui Nan N Chen Zhou-Feng ZF Pan Chuxiong C Li Liang L Zhang Yan Y

Neuroscience bulletin 20190411 5

Isolation rearing (IR) enhances aggressive behavior, and the central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system has been linked to IR-induced aggression. However, whether the alteration of central serotonin is the cause or consequence of enhanced aggression is still unknown. In the present study, using mice deficient in central serotonin Tph2<sup>-/-</sup> and Lmx1b<sup>-/-</sup>, we examined the association between central serotonin and aggression with or without social isolation. We demonstr ...[more]

PMID: 30977041

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Project description:Population density has profound influences on the physiology and behaviour of many animal species. Social isolation is generally reported to lead to increased aggressiveness, while grouping lowers it. We evaluated the effects of varying degrees of isolation and grouping on aggression in a territorial insect, the Mediterranean field cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus. Substantiating early observations, we show that dyadic contests between weight-matched, adult male crickets taken from groups rarely escalate beyond threat displays, whereas interactions between pairs of previously isolated crickets typically escalate to physical fights lasting several seconds. No significant differences were found between 1, 2 and 6-day isolates, or between individuals grouped for a few hours or lifelong. Unexpectedly, crickets grouped in immediate proximity within individual mesh cages that precluded fighting while permitting visual, olfactory and mechanical, antennal contact, were as aggressive as free isolates. This suggests that reduced aggression of grouped animals may be an acquired result of fighting. Supporting this notion, isolated crickets initially engage in vigorous fights when first grouped, but fighting intensity and duration rapidly decline to the level of life-long grouped crickets within only 10 min. Furthermore, grouped crickets become as aggressive as life-long isolates after only 3 hours of isolation, and on the same time course required for crickets to regain their aggressiveness after social defeat. We conclude that the reduced aggressiveness of grouped crickets is a manifestation of the loser effect resulting from social subjugation, while isolation allows recovery to a state of heightened aggressiveness, which in crickets can be considered as the default condition. Given the widespread occurrence of the loser effect in the Animal Kingdom, many effects generally attributed to social isolation are likely to be a consequence of recovery from social subjugation.

Dataset Information

Enhancement of Aggression Induced by Isolation Rearing is Associated with a Lack of Central Serotonin.

Publications

Enhancement of Aggression Induced by Isolation Rearing is Associated with a Lack of Central Serotonin.

Similar Datasets

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