[Effect of genotype and emotional stress on hygienic grooming in inbred mice].

ABSTRACT

Body care behavior (grooming) is an adaptation aimed at removing litter particles, pathogenic microbes and parasites from animal fur and skin. Moreover, it serves as an indicator of animal health. It was observed that chronic stress suppressed fur cleaning. In this article, a technique of direct measurement of fur cleaning using the cleaning dynamics of a fluorescent spot applied on animal's back is described. Significant effects of genotype and emotional stress on the dynamics of fur cleaning are shown. Mice of C57BL/6, CBA and CC57BR strains clean green fluorescent spot rapidly (1-2 h) whereas animals of AKR strain clean it slowly (up to 24 h). Behavioral restriction for 30 min substantially reduced fur cleaning in AKR, CBA and CC57BR, but not in C57BL/6. The stress-induced attenuation of Hygienic grooming is a new index of sensitivity (resistance) to stress.