ESTRUS AND GENERAL ACTIVITY IN RAT

Followed the general activity of 12 Sprague-Dawley female rats, selected for their consistent response to manual testing for heat, by several techniques during 10-44 estrous cycles. While increments during estrus were most regular and of greatest proportional amplitude when the running wheel was used, they were also demonstrable when activity was recorded photoelectrically or by direct observation in a stationary cage. Concurrent application of the latter methods yielded results that were sometimes divergent, in that a given day's behavior might be characterized as hyperactive according to 1 but not the other. In describing the effect of a physiological variable on general activity, it is essential to specify the measuring operations employed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.