The recombinant inbred strains: a tool for the genetic analysis of differences observed in the self-stimulation behaviour of the mouse.

The self-stimulation behaviour (ICSS) in the lateral hypothalamus of mice was studied using 5 recombinant inbred strains having the DBA/2 and BLAB/c lines for their parental origin. Two of these recombinant inbred strains behave like the recessive parental line (BALB/c) while the three others have a performance level similar to that of the dominant (DBA/2) parent. This division suggests that there is a major gene which determines the difference in performance between the two parental lines. The mean value for the self-stimulation threshold is negatively correlated with the value of the performance. The sensitivity to convulsions, which interrupt ICSS behaviour above certain current intensities, is under the control of a genetic determinant independent, but more complex, than the one which controls the level of performance.