Fig. 2

Chronic stress induces deficits in social and anxiety-like behaviours in mice that are partially corrected by microbial treatment. a Microbial treatment does not alter baseline sociability, measured by time spent in the social and non-social chambers, in vehicle-treated (n = 10) versus JB-1-treated (n = 8) unstressed mice. b Vehicle-treated defeated mice (n = 15) exhibit avoidance of the social chamber—deficits that are corrected in defeated mice treated with JB-1 (n = 10). c Data demonstrating the time spent in the social and non-social chambers as a log ratio across all four groups. d Aggressor approach-avoidance test paradigm. e Socially defeated mice exhibit avoidance of a novel aggressor, independent of treatment. f Chronic stress reduced rearing behaviour on the OFT, but was partially rescued by JB-1 treatment (n: CON/VEH = 29, CON/JB-1 = 13, DEF/VEH = 27, DEF/JB-1 = 16). g Chronic stress reduced the number of entries into the light zone on the LDT, but was partially rescued by JB-1 treatment (n: CON/VEH = 18, CON/JB-1 = 12, DEF/VEH = 15, DEF/JB-1 = 16). h Anxiety-like behaviour across time, as measured by the number of entries into the light zone, at 24 h and at 3 weeks following cessation of CSD treatment (n: CON/VEH = 11, DEF/VEH = 9, DEF/JB-1 = 9). i Avoidance behaviour on the aggressor approach-avoidance test, at 24 h and at 3 weeks following cessation of CSD treatment (n: DEF/SAL = 9, DEF/JB-1 = 10). *p < 0.05, **p <0.01, and ***p < 0.001. Data are represented as mean ± SEM