Phenotypic differences in behavior, physiology and neurochemistry between rats selected for tameness and for defensive aggression towards humans

Frank W. Albert, Olesya Shchepina, Christine Winter, Holger Römpler, Daniel Teupser, Rupert Palme, Uta Ceglarek, Jürgen Kratzsch, Reinhard Sohr, Lyudmila N. Trut, Joachim Thiery, Rudolf Morgenstern, Irina Z. Plyusnina, Torsten Schöneberg, Svante Pääbo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

114 Scopus citations

Abstract

To better understand the biology of tameness, i.e. tolerance of human presence and handling, we analyzed two lines of wild-derived rats (Rattus norvegicus) artificially selected for tameness and defensive aggression towards humans. In response to a gloved human hand, tame rats tolerated handling, whereas aggressive rats attacked. Cross-fostering showed that these behavioral differences are not caused by postnatal maternal effects. Tame rats were more active and explorative and exhibited fewer anxiety-related behaviors. They also had smaller adrenal glands, larger spleens and lower levels of serum corticosterone. Blood glucose levels were lower in tame rats, whereas the concentrations of nine amino acids were higher. In the brain, tame rats had lower serotonin and higher taurine levels than aggressive rats. Our findings reinforce the notion that tameness is correlated with differences in stress response and will facilitate future efforts to uncover the genetic basis for animal tameness.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)413-421
Number of pages9
JournalHormones and Behavior
Volume53
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2008

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Behavior
  • Corticosterone
  • Domestication
  • Serotonin
  • Taurine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Phenotypic differences in behavior, physiology and neurochemistry between rats selected for tameness and for defensive aggression towards humans'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this