Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of cortisol on a model of stereotyped behavior of rabbits in the form of thumping

  • Published:
Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Experiments conducted on 10 adult male Chinchilla rabbits showed that single 5-sec electrostimulation of the region of the medial hypothalamus induces a series of stereotyped behavioral responses in the form of synergic thumping on the floor of the experimental chamber. When the stimuli are repeated. every 1.5–2 min adaptation to stimulation is observed, which is expressed in in a gradual decrease of the number of thumps. To study the pharmacological and hormonal effects on the described behavior, an experimental model is proposed which consists of two series of stimulation, each of which consists of 10 successive stimuli. The investigated pharmacological agent (cortisol [hydrocortisone] hemisuccinate) was injected into the animals in the interval between the two series of stimulation. A statistical analysis of the experimental results showed that intraperitoneal injection of cortisol in doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg enhances the simulation-induced behavioral response and shortens the latent period of its manifestation compared with the control. Key words: rabbit, electrostimulation, medial hypothalamus, stereotyped behavior, cortisol.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  1. V. P. Belyi, “Inhibiting effect of hydrocortisone and corticotropin on the self-stimulation response,” Zh. Vyssh. Nervn. Deyat.,29, No. 5, 948 (1979).

    Google Scholar 

  2. V. P. Belyi, “Microiontophoretic study of the topography of hydrocortisone-sensitive neurons of the rabbit brain,” Probl. Éndokrinol.,26, No. 1, 58 (1980).

    Google Scholar 

  3. B. Gonzalez, A. Sabinier, and V. P. Belyi, “Thumping behavior of rabbits in relation to the strength of electrostimulation of hypothalamic structures of the brain,” Zh. Vyssh. Nervn. Deyat.,34, No. 1, 62 (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  4. K. Lishak, G. Kovach, and G. Telegdi, “Participation of the serotoninergic system in mediation of the effect of corticosteroids on protective behavioral responses,” in: News about Hormones and Mechanism of Their Action [in Russian], Naukova Dumka, Kiev (1977), p. 180.

    Google Scholar 

  5. N. M. Malyshenko, “Role of corticosteroids in the formation of fear and aggressive reactions,” Zh. Vyssh. Nervn. Deyat.,32, No. 1, 144 (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  6. I. Ya. Podol'skii, “Selective dopaminergic stimulation of stereotyped forms of aggressive and defense behavior,” Byull. Éksp. Biol. Med.,83, No. 4, 432 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  7. L. A. Sever'yanova, “Role of ACTH and corticosteroids in aggressive and defense behavior of rats,” Fiziol. Zh. SSSR,67, No. 8, 1117 (1981).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. E. Fifkova and J. Marshall, “Stereotaxic atlases of the cat, rabbit, and rat brain,” in: Electrophysiological Methods of Investigation, J. Buresch, M. Patran, I. Zachar [Russian translation], Izd. IL, Moscow (1962), p. 386.

    Google Scholar 

  9. S. L. Black and C. Vanderwolf, “Thumping behavior in the rabbit,” Physiol. Behav.,4, No. 4, 445 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  10. B. Bohus, “Behavioral effect of pituitary-adrenal system hormones,” in: The Endocrine Function of the Human Adrenal Cortex, V. N. T. James et al. (eds.), Proc. of the Serono Symposia, Acad. Press, London, Vol. 18 (1978), p. 105.

    Google Scholar 

  11. J. F. Flood, D. Vidal, E. L. Bennet, F. E. Orme, S. Vasquez, and M. E. Jarvic, “Memory facilitating and anti-amnesic effects of corticosteroids,” Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav.,8, No. 1, 81 (1978).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. I. Mandelbrod, S. Fallman, and R. Werman, “The effect of iontophoretic application of putative neurotransmitters on the electrical activity of rat mediobasal hypothalamic neurons in relation to their steroid sensitivity,” Brain Res.,272, No. 1, 115 (1983).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. P. B. Sawin and R. H. Curran, “Genetic and physiological background of reproduction of the rabbit,” J. Exp. Zool.,120, No. 2, 165 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  14. W. E. Stumpf and M. Sar, “Steroid hormone target sites in the brain: The differential distribution of estrogen, progestin, androgen, and glucocorticosteroid,” J. Steroid Biochem.,7, No. 9, 1169 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Emotions, P. K. Anokhin Scientific-Research Institute of Normal Physiology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, USSR

    V. P. Belyi & B. B. Gonzalez

  2. Medical Institute, Santiago de Cuba

    V. P. Belyi & B. B. Gonzalez

Authors
  1. V. P. Belyi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B. B. Gonzalez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Translated from Fiziologicheskie Zhurnal SSSR imeni I. M. Sechenova, Vol. 72, No. 8, pp. 1048–1054, August, 1986.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Belyi, V.P., Gonzalez, B.B. Effect of cortisol on a model of stereotyped behavior of rabbits in the form of thumping. Neurosci Behav Physiol 17, 340–345 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01183065

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01183065

Keywords

Search

Navigation