Investigation into sex-related differences in locomotor activity, place learning and passive avoidance responding in NMRI mice

Abstract

Learning abilities of young adult (5–6 weeks) male and female NMRI mice were compared in two tasks involving cognitive functions, namely spatial learning in a water maze and passive avoidance responding. Locomotor activity was also monitored as a putative bias for the results obtained in these learning tests. No sex-related difference was observed either in avoidance responding or in spatial learning using a procedure with the same point of departure throughout testing in the water maze. However, in this test, using a procedure with 3 different points of departure in randomized order day after day, female mice performed better than male mice. The difference was statistically significant on the last acquisition day but was not sustained during a retention trial 72 hr later. Since no sex differences in locomotor activity were observed, the learning effects cannot be attributed to a difference in general activity level.