The effect of administering corticoliberin into the striatum on the open-field and shuttle-box behaviors of KHA and KLA strain rats]

The effects of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) injected into the dorsal neostriatum on the open-field and shuttle-box behavior were studied in rats with high (Koltushi high avoidance, KHA) and low (Koltushi low avoidance, KLA) capability for avoidance learning. The effects of this hormone on the behavior of these rat strains were different. In KLA rats with passive strategy of behavior the CRH injection led to a rapid locomotor activation in the open field, while the rats with active behavioral strategy (KHA) reacted to the injection by a significant decrease in locomotion and change for the passive mode of behavior. The same CRH effects on locomotion were obtained in the shuttle-box experiments. Moreover, in the KLA rats the neurohormone injection resulted in an improvement of avoidance learning in contrast to the KHA rats, in which CRH substantially impaired avoidance learning. The obtained evidence is discussed in terms of the important role of striatal CRH in the choice of behavioral strategy in stress.     

Further studies on the occurrence of freshwater Microturbellaria in the British Isles

Five new British records of freshwater Microturbellaria are illustrated: Gieysztoria infundibuliformis, Castrada lanceola, Castrada neocomensis, Castrada viridis and Strongylostoma elongatum. These species together with a new species, Macrostomum johni described by Young (1972), are woven into the fabric of the existing key for the group (Young, 1970). All six species were recorded from the littoral zone of lakes in Caernarvonshire, N. Wales. The times of the recordings are indicated.     

Concentration of monoamines in the brain of minks differing in their reaction to man

Content of dopamine in the striatum; of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid and noradrenaline in the hypothalamus, striatum and midbrain was studied in three groups of minks from population of an animal farm, differing by their reaction to humans (cowardly, calm, aggressive). The reaction to humans was estimated by a system of marks at the attempt to catch the mink with a mitten. Aggressive animals had a lowered level of serotonin in the hypothalamus and striatum, a lesser content of serotonin metabolite--5-hydroxyindolacetic acid in the striatum. Minks of different groups did not differ by noradrenaline content, but dopamine level in the striatum of cowardly minks was higher than in calm and aggressive animals. Conclusion is made that polymorphism of behaviour corresponds to polymorphism of the state of monoaminergic systems.