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Effects of Amphetamine Sulfate on Activity Level of Green Sunfish

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Abstract

Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) were randomly assigned to one of four groups with 13 fish to a group. Fish in one group received an injection (intraperitoneal) of 0.5 mg/kg of amphetamine sulfate; fish in a second group received an injection of 1.5 mg/kg amphetamine sulfate; and fish in the third group received an injection of 2.5 mg/kg of the drug. Fish in the fourth group received an injection of sterile water. Five-min. observations were taken prior to injection, and 25, 60, 120, and 180 min. after injection. The fish were observed individually in aquaria which had been divided into a system of grids by drawing lines on the glass sides with a black marking pencil. Activity was used as the dependent variable and was defined as the number of times a fish crossed the grid lines during a five minute observation session. The three groups receiving amphetamine sulfate injection were found to differ significantly from the control group for all post-injection observation sessions. Some differences were also found between drug dosages.

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The author wishes to acknowledge the advice and guidance of Dr. N. W. Heimstra, University of South Dakota and the helpful suggestions and comments of Dr. A. L. McDonald, Montana State University.

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Damkot, D.K. Effects of Amphetamine Sulfate on Activity Level of Green Sunfish. Psychol Rec 17, 509–513 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393725

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