Open-field behaviour of oestrous and dioestrous rats: Evidence against an ‘emotionality’ interpretation

doi:10.1016/0003-3472(75)90127-X

Animal Behaviour

Volume 23, Part 3, August 1975, Pages 509-512

https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-3472(75)90127-X Get rights and content

Abstract

Oestrous and dioestrous rats were observed during the initial 2 min of open-field exposure, and after a loud bell had sounded. Although defecation and ambulation showed characteristic difference between the two phases (less defecation and more ambulation at oestrus), other measures associated with emotional behaviour (latency to move from the wall, flight, and freezing to the bell) showed no differences. These findings supported Drewett's suggestion that open-field defecation and ambulation change with oestrous phase because of general metabolic changes and not as a result of ‘emotionality’ changes.

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Open-field behaviour of oestrous and dioestrous rats: Evidence against an ‘emotionality’ interpretation

Abstract

Anim. Behav

Anim. Behav

Acta Psychol

Physiol. & Behav

Aversive stimulation and rats' preference for familiarity

Psychon. Sci

The sex hormones and emotional behaviour. I. the effect of sexual receptivity upon timidity in the female rat

J. genet. Psychol

Sex differences in the emotional behaviour of three strains of laboratory rat

Anim. Learning & Behav

Determinants of emotionality in the rat. I. Situational factors

Br. J. Psychol