Cross-fostering and cross-breeding of HAB and LAB rats: a genetic rat model of anxiety.

Recently, two Wistar rat lines, bred and selected for either high (HAB) or low (LAB) anxiety-related behavior on the elevated plus-maze, were described as a novel psychopathologic animal model. The behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to exposure to an emotional stressor were markedly enhanced in HAB rats compared with LAB rats, thus resembling patients suffering from psychiatric diseases. The present study focused on the developmental and genetic basis of the line-specific differences by using cross-fostering and cross-breeding approaches.