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Sex differences in “emotionality” and behavior of rats in the open-field

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Defecation, grooming, ambulation and rearing of female and male Wistar rats submitted to an open field were studied. Female rats showed greater ambulatory and rearing behaviors and less defecation than males. The data obtained suggest that ambulation and rearing may be related to sex rather than to the emotionality level.

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With a fellowship from Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP).

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