Basic neuroscienceEvaluation of aggressiveness of female mice using a semi-automated apparatus for measurement of aggressive biting behavior toward an inanimate object

•We used the Aggression Response Meter (ARM) to measure female aggressive behaviors.•Aggressive biting behavior toward an inanimate object (ABI) was measured using ARM.•ABI did not change significantly during an estrous cycle.•ABI changed upon isolation stress and serotonin 1A receptor agonist administration.•ABI is available for evaluation of drug efficacy on aggressiveness in female mice.

BackgroundMost laboratory research on aggressive behavior has focused on intraspecific intermale aggression tests. The intraspecific confrontation is not available for the evaluation of female aggressiveness, since androgens are critical for maintenance of this behavior, whereas aggressive biting behavior toward inanimate objects (ABI) occurs in both males and females.New methodWe propose an experimental method for evaluating female aggressiveness. We improved the previously developed semi-automated apparatus (Aggression Response Meter, ARM) to apply it to measurement of female ABI, and measured changes of ABI in stressed mice and drug actions on ABI.ResultsABI assessment was performed daily in sexually mature female mice using ARM. The intensity and number of ABI in one session did not significantly change during an estrous cycle, suggesting that ABI is not influenced by the dynamics of sex hormones. Additional female mice were socially isolated for 7 weeks and then re-socialized for 2 weeks, and ABI was monitored weekly. ABI significantly increased during the isolation period, and then significantly decreased during re-socialization; both were time-dependent. In prolonged-isolated aggressive mice, a serotonin 1A receptor agonist, buspirone, significantly decreased ABI.Comparison with existing methodThere are no experimental methods or apparatus available for evaluating female aggressiveness using one individual repeatedly. We could measure ABI semi-quantitatively using the ARM.ConclusionsABI is a useful behavioral paradigm in the evaluation of aggressiveness in female mice, regardless of the estrous cycle, and can also be used for evaluating the actions of drugs on aggressiveness.