EthoSeq: A tool for phylogenetic analysis and data mining in behavioral sequences

This article introduces the software program called EthoSeq, which is designed to extract probabilistic behavioral sequences (tree-generated sequences, or TGSs) from observational data and to prepare a TGS-species matrix for phylogenetic analysis. The program uses Graph Theory algorithms to automatically detect behavioral patterns within the observational sessions. It includes filtering tools to adjust the search procedure to user-specified statistical needs. Preliminary analyses of data sets, such as grooming sequences in birds and foraging tactics in spiders, uncover a large number of TGSs which together yield single phylogenetic trees. An example of the use of the program is our analysis of felid grooming sequences, in which we have obtained 1,386 felid grooming TGSs for seven species, resulting in a single phylogeny. These results show that behavior is definitely useful in phylogenetic analysis. EthoSeq simplifies and automates such analyses, uncovers much of the hidden patterns of long behavioral sequences, and prepares this data for further analysis with standard phylogenetic programs. We hope it will encourage many empirical studies on the evolution of behavior.

Crotoxin-induced behavioral effects in rats

Crotoxin is the major component of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. In view of the presence of high-affinity specific binding sites for crotoxin in the brain, the objective of this work was to investigate whether crotoxin induces behavioral effects in the open-field and hole-board tests. Adult male Wistar rats (180-220 g) treated with crotoxin, 100, 250 and 500 mu g/kg, ip, administered 2 h before the test, presented statistically significant behavioral alterations (ANOVA for one-way classification complemented with Dunnet test, P<0.05). In the open-field test, 250 and 500 mu g/kg of crotoxin increased freezing (from 3.22 sec to 10.75 sec and 11.2 sec) and grooming (from 13.44 sec to 22.75 sec and 21.22 sec) and decreased ambulation (from 64.8 to 39.38 and 45.8). The dose of 500 mu g/kg also decreased rearing (from 24.9 to 17.5). In the hole-board test, 500 mu g/kg of crotoxin decreased head-dip count (from 6.33 to 4.00). All the crotoxin-induced behavioral effects were antagonized by an anxiolytic dose of diazepam (1.5 mg/kg, ip, 30 min before the tests). These results show that crotoxin reduced open-field activity and exploratory behavior as well. We suggest that these effects express an increased emotional state induced by this toxin.

Longitudinal study of the spectral composition of behavioral rhythms in the rat

Four. male Wistar rats were housed in pairs of siblings, on LD 12:12h and 22 degrees C + 2 degrees C. Food and water were provided ad libitum. Behavior was videotaped from the 1st to the 3rd month of life. In each age-bracket the spectral composition of rhythmic expressions of the following behavioral categories was analyzed: rest, eat, drink, cage exploration, self-grooming, and social interaction. Rats maintained a stable rank order of time engaged in different behaviors through development, despite modification of time spent in grooming, drinking and social interaction as they got older. Spectral composition of behaviors followed a general ontogenetic pattern: ultradian frequencies of 12-h and 8-h were the strongest in the 1st month and circadian periodicity was predominant in the 3rd month. The increase of circadian power compared with ultradian power components agrees with literature findings. To our knowledge, self-grooming and social interaction have not been investigated before in this context. The similarities between siblings suggest the mutual influence of partners and/ or the existence of genetic factors. Ongoing studies are examining the importance of the social surroundings in which animals develop to the acquisition of adult rhythmic pattern.

THE BEHAVIORAL SENSITIZATION INDUCED BY FENCAMFAMINE IS NOT RELATED TO PLASMA DRUG LEVELS

Fencamfamine (FCF) is a CNS stimulant that facilitates central dopaminergic transmission primarily through blockade of dopamine uptake. In the present study we evaluated the relationship between plasma FCF concentration and behavioral sensitization effect. Adult male Wistar rats (250-300 g) received FCF (10 mg/kg, kg, ip) or saline once or daily for 10 consecutive days (N = 10 for each group). Blood samples were collected 30 min after injections and plasma FCF was measured by gas chromatography using an electron capture detector. FCF treatment enhanced sniffing duration (16.8 +/- 0.8 vs 26.6 +/- 0.9 s) and decreased rearing behavior (8.2 +/- 0.8 vs 3.7 +/- 0.6 s) when days 1 and 10 of drug administration were compared. Comparison of pair of means by the Student t-test did not show significant differences in plasma FCF concentration (390 +/- 40 vs 420 +/- 11 ng/ml) when blood samples were collected 30 min after acute FCF administration or after daily administration of 10 mg/kg for 10 days. In conclusion, the behavioral sensitization to FCF could not be correlated with plasma drug levels, and changes in the activity of dopaminergic systems should be considered to explain the sensitization to the effect of FCF.

Effect of gamma irradiation on the behavioral properties of crotoxin

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Developmental lead exposure in rats: is a behavioral sequel extended at F2 generation?

Lead toxicity was studied in rats exposed from conception until weaning and assessed by monitoring offspring behavior in both the open field and elevated plus maze and by determining tissue lead in an assessment schedule extended to first (F1) and second (F2) generations. Dams utilized for the F1 generation were submitted to 750 ppm of lead (acetate) in drinking water during pregnancy and lactation. For F1 pups, behavioral alterations were not detected in the elevated plus maze, while in the open field, spontaneous locomotor activity as well as time of both grooming and rearing increased, while freezing time decreased in 30- and 90-day-old rats. Lead content was higher in tissues of 1- and 30-day-old pups. However, in 90-day-old rats, lead was detected only in the femur. F2 generation was lead-free but still presented alterations in both locomotor activity and grooming in 30- and 90-day-old pups. It appears that developmental lead exposure may cause behavioral effects during the developmental stage of the F1 generation, which remains throughout the animal's adult life as a sequel, regardless of lead accumulation, and is extended to the F2 generation of rats. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of early GnRH administration in sexual behavior disorders of rat pups perinatally exposed to lead

The effects of maternal exposure to lead (Pb) during the perinatal ( 1% and 0.1% Pb) periods of sexual brain differentiation were studied in adult male offspring. Maternal Pb levels were measured after treatment. Behavioral (open field and sexual behavior), physical (sexual maturation, body and organ weights), and biochemical (testosterone levels and hypothalamic monoamine and respective metabolite levels) data were assessed in perinatally exposed offspring. The effects of gonadrotopin-releasing hormone (GnRH) administration to pups at birth on puberty and sexual behavior were also investigated in offspring postnatally exposed to the metal. Results showed that perinatal administration of the two Pb concentrations did not modify maternal weight gain; 1% Pb exposure reduced offspring body weight during the 7 days of treatment while no changes were observed after 0.1% Pb exposure; neither ph concentration altered offspring sexual maturation; the higher Pb concentration improved sexual behavior while the 0.1% concentration reduced it; exposure to 0.1% Pb caused decrease in testis weight, an increase in seminal vesicle weight and no changes in plasma testosterone levels; hypothalamic VMA levels were increased compared to the control group; GnRH administration reversed the effects of 0.1% Ph administration on male sexual behavior. These results show that perinatal exposure to ph had a dose-dependent effect on the sexual behavior of rats and that a decrease in GnRH source in the offspring was probably involved in the reduction of their sexual performance. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of prenatal exposure to deltamethrin on forced swimming behavior, motor activity, and striatal dopamine levels in male and female rats

The effects of prenatal exposure of rat pups to 0.08 mg/kg deltamethrin (DTM) on physical, reflex and behavioral developmental parameters, on forced swimming and open-field behaviors, and on striatal monoamine levels at 60 days of age were observed. Maternal and offspring body weight, physical and reflex development were unaffected by the exposure to the pesticide. At 21 days of age, open-field locomotion frequency and immobility duration of male and female offspring were not different between control and exposed animals. However, male rearing frequency was increased in experimental animals. A decreased immobility latency to float and in general activity after the swimming test in male offspring was observed at adult age; no interference was detected in the float duration during the swimming test. In addition, these animals presented higher striatal 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels without modification in dopamine (DA) levels and an increased DOPAC/DA ratio. These data indicate a higher activity of the dopaminergic system in these animals. Noradrenaline (NA) levels were increased, while MHPG levels were not detectable in the system studied. Serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels, as well as the homovanillic acid (HVA)/DA ratio, were not modified by the exposure to the pesticide. No changes were observed in swimming and open-field behaviors nor were there any changes in striatal monoamines or their metabolites in the female experimental group. In relation to the pesticide formula, the present data showing that prenatal exposure to DTM alters latency to float and the activity of striatal dopaminergic system might reflect a persistent effect of the pesticide on animal motor activity, mainly in males. on the other hand, the decrease in general activity observed in experimental male rats suggests higher levels of emotionality induced by previous exposure to the swimming behavior test in relation to control animals. Data gathered in the present study may be important for the assessment of the safety of pyrethroid insecticides. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimating the thermoneutral zone for broiler breeders using behavioral analysis

Knowledge about bird's heat stress is extensively discussed in the literature. From behavior data collected during the summer of 2000/2001 in an open-sided reduced scale model of a poultry barn, this study estimated the thermoneutral zone for female broiler breeders. The birds were electronically identified and the frequency of use of passage, indicating movement, and drinker, indicating thirst, where the antennas were placed, was recorded. Environmental data such as dry and wet bulb temperature were collected in the geometric center of the model and continuously registered by a datalogger. From the statistical analysis, it was possible to predict a real-time-based zone where the birds showed coherent behavior towards the use of the drinker and movement in the passage. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Behavioral effects of acute exposure to the insecticide fipronil

The effects of fipronil (Frontline (R) Top Spot) were investigated in 40 days old rats utilizing open field (OF), hole-board (HB) and elevated plus-maze (EPM) apparatus. Rats (N=15) received topical application of fipronil (70, 140 and 280 mg/kg) in the neck region and behavior was tested 3 h after administration. Animals treated with corn oil (vehicle) were used as controls. In the of test animals treated with fipronil at 140 mg/kg showed increased rearing, whereas animals exposed to 280 mg/kg showed increased freezing, grooming, and rearing. In the HB test fipronil at 280 mg/kg increased head-dip and head-dipping behaviors. In the EPM test the only observed effect was increased number of entries in both open and closed EPM arms in animals treated with 280 mg/kg. In conclusion, dermal exposure to fipronil causes effects related to emotionality, fear, and exploratory activity; results add strength to the growing concern that pirazole insecticides can be neurotoxic to humans. Published by Elsevier B.V.