Social structure and plasma corticosterone level in female albino mice

Physiol Behav. 1987;40(6):689-93. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(87)90269-1.

Abstract

Five week old female albino mice were grouped two, three, four and five per cage. Social rank was established by observation according to eight parameters. Social structure in caged female laboratory mice is dependent on the number of animals per cage. Blood samples taken from each animal showed a significantly lower corticosterone level in the plasma of dominant female albino mice compared with their subdominant social partners.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Corticosterone / blood*
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Models, Psychological
  • Social Dominance*

Substances

  • Corticosterone