Evaluation of ultrasonic vocalizations in a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia during the early life stages of rats. (1st March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Potasiewicz, Agnieszka; Holuj, Malgorzata; Piotrowska, Diana; Zajda, Katarzyna; Wojcik, Michal; Popik, Piotr; Nikiforuk, Agnieszka
• Is Part Of: Neuropharmacology. Volume 146(2019)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2019-03-01
• Subjects: Animal model of schizophrenia -- Methylazoxymethanol acetate -- Young rats -- Negative symptoms -- Ultrasound vocalization -- Sex differences; Neuropsychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Autonomic Agents -- Periodicals; Neuropsychopharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neuropsychopharmacology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.11.023
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0028-3908

Abstract

Abstract: In an animal neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia, we investigated ultrasonic communication and social behavior in male and female rats. Pregnant dams were treated with methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM; 22 mg/kg) at 17 days of gestation. First, we examined the ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) emitted by 8-day-old pups isolated from their mothers and placed in a familiar or an unfamiliar environment. Second, we assessed tickling-induced USVs, social play (SP) behavior and accompanying USVs in 30-day-old juveniles. Independent of the prenatal treatment, sex differences were noted at both ages. In the pups isolated from their mothers, compared to the females, the males produced flatter calls with a lower frequency. Compared to the females, the tickling-induced male USVs were characterized by a higher frequency, and the male SP-induced USVs showed a broader bandwidth and more modulated structure. Additionally, the numbers of both SP-induced USVs and SP episodes in the males were higher than those in the females. In contrast, the MAM exposure reduced the ultrasonic communication and social behavior independent of age almost equally in the male and female rats. The MAM-exposed isolated pups and juveniles experiencing tickling and social interaction displayed lower USV bandwidths, suggesting that the complexity of their ultrasonic communication was reduced. In addition, the MAM-exposed juveniles demonstrated a lower number of 50-kHz "happy calls" and decreased SP duration, which is suggestive of social withdrawal or negative-like symptoms. These data demonstrate that young MAM-exposed rats display an atypical repertoire of USVs and reduced play behavior suggestive of communication deficits associated with schizophrenia. Highlights: MAM treatment similarly affects USVs and play behavior in young females and males. MAM-exposed pups and juveniles display a nontypical repertoire of USVs. MAM juveniles display reduced USVs and play behavior. There are sex differences in rat USVs and play behavior. An unfamiliar environment affects pup vocalizations.