Fig. 3.

Magel2^m−/p− rats display select alterations in anxiety-like behavior, social approach and dyadic social interaction. (A) Magel2^m−/p− rats (m−/p−), compared to wild-type littermates (m+/p+), spent more time in the open regions and less time in the closed regions in the elevated circle maze. (B) Wild-type littermates and Magel2^m−/p− female rats spent significantly more time investigating a partner versus an object in the three-chamber test; in contrast, the times male Magel2^m−/p− rats investigated the partner versus the object were not significantly different. (C-F) In dyadic social interaction tests, male, but not female, Magel2^m−/p− rats showed a reduction in play-like behavior duration and number of events (C,D). In addition, although male and female Magel2^m−/p− rats showed normal sniff and follow duration (E), both groups showed a significantly reduced number of sniff and follow events (F). (G,H) In tests for perseverative-like behavior, Magel2^m−/p− rats showed no significant differences in marble burying (G) or block chewing (H). (I) Total distance traveled in the open field was comparable across genotypes. (J,K) Acoustic startle reactivity to a loud decibel noise (120 dB) (J) and prepulse inhibition of the startle response (K) were normal in Magel2^m+/p− rats. Violin plots were used to indicate data density and distribution, with gray (males) and orange (females) squares within each genotype/group category; solid red lines indicate the median and dashed red lines indicate quartiles. *P<0.05; **P<0.01; ****P<0.0001; ns, not significant; mutant rats relative to wild-type littermate controls; RM ANOVA or multivariate two-way ANOVA using genotype and sex as main effects followed by post-hoc analyses were conducted when appropriate. A statistical summary of behavioral data is provided in Table S1.