The Concentric Square Field Test for monitoring behavioral profiles in AA and ANA rats

E. Roman¹, M. Berg¹, P. Hyytiä², B.J. Meyerson³ and I. Nylander¹

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Bioscience, Division of Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
²Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
³Department of Neuroscience, Division of Pharmacology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

The ethanol-preferring AA (Alko, Alcohol) and ethanol-avoiding ANA (Alko, Non-Alcohol) rats are selectively bred for high and low voluntary ethanol intake, respectively. Beside the differences in voluntary ethanol intake there exists behavioral differences where the AA rats are considered to be less emotionally reactive. The aim of the present experiment was to use a battery of behavioral tests in order to further compare the behavioral profiles in these two lines of rats. Adult male AA and ANA rats (12 rats/group) were used. The test battery consisted of the Concentric Square Field (CSF) test and the more traditional Open Field (OF) and Elevated Plus-Maze (EPM) tests. The rats did not have previous experience of the test arenas. The CSF test provides multiple areas with different physical design for the animal to explore. The idea underlying this test is that the various areas should provide different elements of risk versus shelter and explorative incentives. Behavioral differences were detected in both the OF and the EPM test. The multivariate CSF test provided a more comprehensive analysis with special regard to approach/avoidance patterns associated with risk assessment and risk taking. The ANA rats were characterized by a higher explorative activity and differed clearly from the AA males in their approach/avoidance pattern as to open versus sheltered areas indicating a difference between the two lines in risk assessment and risk taking strategies. From a methodological point of view it is concluded that the CSF test arena provides an interesting complement to the OF and EPM tests.

Paper presented at Measuring Behavior 2005 , 5^th International Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research, 30 August - 2 September 2005, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

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