Figure 2

Pre-conception predator stress produces anxiety-like behaviour in first filial (F1) mice. (A) Schematic of F0 procedure. (B) Schematic of the F1 procedure. (C–J) Mean ± SEM plotted over four groups: male and female offspring from control parents (control F1♂ and ♀), or male and female offspring from preconception predator-stressed parents (predator stress F1♂ and ♀). F1 offspring of predator-stressed parents froze longer (C) and more often (D) than control F1s during the mild stressor (2 min rat exposure). Following the mild stressor, predator stressed F1s spent less time in the open arms (ratio time, (E)) and entered the open arms less often (ratio frequency, (F)) in the elevated plus maze, spent less time (G) and entered (H) the light side less often in the light/dark box, spent less time in the center (I) of the open field, and had an increased peak startle amplitude (J) compared to control F1s. EPM elevated plus maze, OF open field, LDB light/dark box, SIT social interaction test, FST forced swim test, AST acoustic startle test, PS predator stress, C control. **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.