Abstract
The present study was conducted to ascertain whether the visual patterning or the intensity of environmental light in early life is the critical factor in inducing reported behavioral and physiological changes in adult animals (cf Singh et al, 1967). After weaning, littermate female rats were raised in either total darkness, facing a black-and-white striped or a flat-white enclosure for 70 days. Results show that these visual conditions produce differential body weight gains and melatonin activity in the pineal gland. On the basis of these findings, it appears that previously reported physiological changes were not due to the intensity of environmental light.
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The present study was conducted at North Dakota State University and was supported by the funds of the graduate school of the university.
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Singh, D., Johnston, R.J. & Klosterman, H.J. Effect of visual pattern restriction in early life on brain enzyme in the rat. Psychon Sci 19, 173–174 (1970). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335536
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335536