Analysis of genetic and maternal effects on behavioral development in inbred mice

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Abstract
The strain difference of behavioral development in inbred mice, the mode of its inheritance, and the pre- and postnatal maternal effects on it were investigated. Strain differences among 5 inbred strains were found in several reflexes and body movements of the young, suggesting that the difference of genetic architecture among inbred strains plays a significant role in the behavioral differences. Three types of the mode of inheritance in the behavioral components of the young (i.e., complete dominance, partial dominance and overdominance) were evaluated by comparing parental strains with their reciprocal hybrids. Cross-fostering between 2 inbred strains revealed the presence of postnatal maternal effect on the appearance of hyperreactivity and freezing, and the disappearance of hyperreactivity and crossed extensor reflex. Prenatal and postnatal maternal effects were found in the appearance of freezing and the disappearance of front placing reaction and freezing by cross-fostering between reciprocal hybrids. Both genetic architecture and maternal environment, pre- and postnatal, are important factors in behavioral development.