Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Pharmacy - Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology

The current study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of the behavior of the winners in the sensory contact model (SCM) and also their aggressive behavior in comparison to other models of aggression, namely; territorial aggression (resident-intruder paradigm) and isolation induced aggression (social isolation technique(. The work was conducted using adult male Swiss albino mice that were randomly divided into seven major groups: i- Control group: naive mice were caged in normal housing cages, 5-6 per cage, without being subjected to any of the models used. ii- SCM group: winner animals obtained from the sensory contact model. iii- RIP group: animals subjected to resident intruder paradigm. iv- Isolation group: animals were socially isolated for 21 consecutive days. v- SCM + LiCl group: winners of the sensory contact model were given lithium chloride (LiCl) as a single dose of 100 mg/Kg, i.p. vi- RIP + LiCl group: resident animals at the resident-intruder paradigm were given a single dose of LiCl (100 mg/Kg, i.p.). vii- Isolation + LiCl group: isolated animals were given a single dose of LiCl (100 mg/Kg, i.p.(The estimated parameters were non agonistic behavioral profile (using open field test and elevated plus maze), and agonistic behavioral pattern towards opponent. In addition, brain catecholamines levels, namely dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-HIAA. Moreover, oxidative stress markers in each of the previously mentioned models were evaluated in the brain (reduced glutathione, catalase, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde content). Furthermore, response to stress was evaluated by measuring serum cortisol concentration. Results demonstrated the unique neuro- and bio-chemical profile of the dominant mice in SCM as compared to other models of aggression, in addition to the specific response to either LiCl or aggression deprivation

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