Fig. 4: L-aspartic acid injections into the LPAG or administered intraperitoneally increased defensive attack behavior of male offspring.
a–e c-Fos expression in the LPAG was significantly higher in the father’s companionship group than in the control group (t (16) = 2.366, P = 0.031, t test), whereas no significant difference was observed in the DMPAG (t (16) = 0.346, P = 0.734, t test), DLPAG (t (16) = 0.809, P = 0.430, t test), and VLPAG (t (16) = 0.759, P = 0.459, t test); (3 mice per group were analyzed with 3 sections per mouse). f The experimental design of injection of L-aspartic acid in LPAG and defensive attack behavior test. g–i Latency of biting (one-way ANOVA, F (2, 23) = 0.164, P = 0.850), frequency of biting (one-way ANOVA, F (2, 23) = 1.042, P = 0.369), and biting duration (one-way ANOVA, F (2, 23) = 3.988, P = 0.033) after injection of L-aspartic acid in LPAG. Mice treated with 1 μmol/μL L-aspartic acid for 0.2 μL exhibited longer biting duration compared to the saline control group (Fisher’s LSD post-test, P = 0.010). n = 8–9 per group. j The experimental design of intraperitoneal injection of L-aspartic acid and defensive attack behavior test. k–m The latency of biting (one-way ANOVA, F (3, 33) = 1.582, P = 0.212), frequency of biting (one-way ANOVA, F (3, 33) = 1.266, P = 0.302), and biting duration (one-way ANOVA, F (3, 33) = 4.176, P = 0.013) after intraperitoneal injection of L-aspartic acid. Mice treated with 100 mg/kg (Fisher’s LSD post-test, P = 0.045) or 200 mg/kg (Fisher’s LSD post-test, P = 0.025) L-aspartic acid exhibited longer biting duration compared to the saline control group. n = 8–10 per group. Values are shown as mean ± standard error. DLPAG dorsolateral periaqueductal gray, DMPAG Dorsomedial periaqueductal gray. FC father companionship, LPAG lateral periaqueductal gray, VLPAG ventrolateral periaqueductal gray. PND, postnatal day. Scale bar, 200 µm. * P < 0.05.
