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Some effects of air ions on the activity of rats

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Abstract

A duct system was arranged through which flowed air of controlled ion concentration. In series was a chamber with a flexible dielectric floor which made possible electrical detection of activity.Exposure to various ion concentrations of either polarity produced pronounced effects.In addition to gross motor activity six other behavioural parameters were recorded. The lowest ion concentration were most effective. In addition to presenting a controlled ambient ion concertration the ion current drawn by the animal was measured. This varied markedly from rat to rat.

Zusammenfassung

Ein Kanalsystem zum Durchfluss von Luft bekannter Ionenkonzentration wurde eingerichtet. Angeschlossen war eine Kammer mit einem beweglichen dielektrischen Boden, der die Registrierung der Aktivität von Ratten ermöglichte. Neben der motorischen Aktivität wurden 6 andere Verhaltensformen der Tiere registriert.Die niedrigste Ionenkonzentration war am wirksamsten zur Anregung der Aktivität. Neben der Ionenkonzentration in der Kammer wurde der von den Tieren eingeatmete Ionenstrom gemessen; er variierte stark von Tier zu Tier.

Resume

On a construit un canal dans lequel il est possible de faire circuler de l'air dont la concentration en ions est contrôlable. On y a adjoint une cellule dont le sol est constitué par un diélectrique flexible permettant de déceler électriquement l'activité de petits animaux.En exposant des rats à des concentrations ioniques variables et de polarité différente, on peut constater des effets prononcés sur le comportement des animaux. En effet, en plus de l'activité motrice, on a enregistré six autres formes de ce comportement. Ce sont les plus faibles concentrations qui produisent le plus d'effets. A part la concentration en ions à l'intérieur de la cellule, on a également mesuré la quantité d'ions absorbés par les bêtes par voie respiratoire. Cette quantité varie fortement d'un individu à l'autre.

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Author notes

  1. R. D. McDonald

    Present address: HumRRO, Monterey, California, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Dept., Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA

    C. H. Bachman & P. J. Lorenz

  2. Veterans Administration Hospital, Syracuse, New York, USA

    R. D. McDonald

Authors
  1. C. H. Bachman
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  2. R. D. McDonald
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  3. P. J. Lorenz
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Additional information

This work was supported by Public Health Service Research Grant #AP00305-02 from the Division of Air Pollution, Bureau of State Services and also by a grant from the Atmospheric Science Research Center of the State University of New York.

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Bachman, C.H., McDonald, R.D. & Lorenz, P.J. Some effects of air ions on the activity of rats. Int J Biometeorol 10, 39–46 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01636119

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01636119

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