Selective breeding for acoustic priming.

Data on eight generations of selective breeding for acoustic priming efficacy are reported. The realized heritability of this trait is approximately 0.2-0.3, indicating that the trait is determined in part by genetic factors. Animals selectively bred for acoustic priming do not differ in terms of first-trial (i.e., non-priming-induced) audiogenic seizures. These data suggest that acoustic priming and first-trial audiogenic seizures are controlled by different genetic mechanisms.