Sexually dimorphic organization of open field behavior following moderate prenatal alcohol exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can produce deficits in a wide range of cognitive functions but is especially detrimental to behaviors requiring accurate spatial information processing. In open field environments, spatial behavior is organized such that animals establish "home bases" marked by long stops focused around one location. Progressions away from the home base are circuitous and slow, while progressions directed toward the home base are non-circuitous and fast. The impact of PAE on the organization of open field behavior has not been experimentally investigated.

Methods

In the present study, adult female and male rats with moderate PAE or saccharin exposure locomoted a circular high walled open field for 30 minutes under lighted conditions.

Results

SUBMITTER: Osterlund Oltmanns JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9117438 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature