Abstract
Gravid female rats were made hypoxic on the eighth or twentieth day of term. Their progeny were found to be more active in an avoidance shuttle box. These results are contrasted to similar studies measuring activity in non-noxious circumstances. Also, the experimental Ss were found to be hypoemotional in comparison to their controls as measured by a rating scale and weight loss during avoidance training. The offspring of animals treated on the eighth day of gestation were less emotional than those receiving treatment on the twentieth day, confirming other studies demonstrating behavioral differences linked to prenatal age at treatment.
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This research was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness (NB-02131).
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Vierck, C.J., King, F.A. & Ferm, V.H. Effects of prenatal hypoxia upon activity and emotionality of the rat. Psychon Sci 4, 87–88 (1966). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342191
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03342191