Ha. Vandeweerd et al., STRAIN-SPECIFIC BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT IN THE MOUSE, Journal of experimental animal science, 36(4-5), 1994, pp. 117-127
The influence of environmental enrichment on the behaviour of the mous
e has been studied in two inbred strains (C57BL and BALB/c). Male mice
of each of the two strains were subjected to behavioural tests after
being housed for two months either under standard housing conditions o
r in an enriched environment. The results of the behavioural test indi
cated that the C57BL mice housed in the enriched environment were more
reactive and alert compared to mice housed in the standard environmen
t. In the BALB/c mice results may be interpreted as if enriched enviro
nments lead to an increased level of anxiety. It is concluded that env
ironmental enrichment has a strain specific effect on the behaviour of
mice.