Effects of the non-pseudoautosomal region of the Y-chromosome on behavior in female offspring of two congenic strains of mice

The learning behavior of female offspring of two strains of mice congenic f or the Y-chromosome, BXSX/MpJ-Yaa and BXSB/MpJ-Yaa +, was examined. Signifi cant differences were found in the Morris water maze and the Lashley III ma ze, demonstrating that the fathers' Y-chromosome can indirectly affect thei r daughters' behavior. Approximately half the mice had neocortical ectopias , and females from the two paternal groups reacted differently to the prese nce or absence of ectopias. Since females do not have a Y-chromosome, these effects must be through non-genetic mechanisms. Prenatal factors that coul d have played a role include possible differences in gonadal growth and the presence of different H-Y antigens. Postnatally, the sires and male siblin gs of the two strains may not have behaved the same toward the female offsp ring and/or the dame, creating differences in behavior. In summary, the behavior of female offspring of two groups of males, geneti cally the same except for their Y-chromosomes, was examined. Since females do not receive a Y-chromosome from their fathers, in theory their behavior should not differ. Significant differences were found, indicating that the Y-chromosome, through some indirect mechanism, can affect females of the ne xt generation. (C) 2000 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.