Developmental stability in a cystic fibrosis mouse model

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cystic fibrosis (CF) and chronic experimental lung  infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa on developmental instability and behaviour in the transgenic  Cftrtm1Unc -TgN(FABPCFTR) mouse compared to different heterozygote (CFTR+/-) and wildtype (CFTR+/+)  controls. Developmental instability measured as fluctuating asymmetry (FA), body weight and open-field  behaviour were assessed in CFTR-/-, CFTR+/- and CFTR+/+ mice. FA and different behavioural tests were  investigated in relation to tracheotomy and lung infection with P. aeruginosa. Body weight was in general  decreased in the CFTR-/- mice and increased in the CFTR+/- mice. CFTR-/- mice had a significantly higher  degree of FA (4%-5.5%) than all other groups (1%-3%) (P<0.001), while having cystic fibrosis did not  seem to influence the behaviour of these mice indicating that the clinical impact from the model is rather  low, which is positive from a welfare point of view. FA and motor performance was influenced by neither  the lung infection nor the tracheotomy. Tracheotomy increased the level of fear in the light-dark box  (P<0.05), and the lung infection decreased activity in the open field (P<0.05). From this we may conclude  that well-being expressed as changed behaviour is a result of the lung infection more than a consequence  of the mutation.