Relationships of plasma catecholamines to open-field behavior after inescapable shock.
Male rats with indwelling jugular catheters were exposed to inescapable shock or no shock, and ambulation and defecation were measured 24 h later in an open field. Plasma catecholamine levels were determined from blood samples taken before and during pretreatment as well as before and after testing for aftereffects on open-field behavior. Shocked animals showed higher plasma catecholamine levels during the shock session and lower locomotor activity in the open field. Open-field activity was negatively correlated in shocked animals with both plasma catecholamines before and during shock and also with plasma epinephrine before open-field testing. Defecation was only positively correlated with plasma norepinephrine before open-field testing. Thus, the reduced open-field activity after inescapable shock may indicate heightened fear or anxiety which may also be present when shocked animals are tested for their performance in more complex tasks.
Weyers
P
P
Department of Psychology I, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, FRG.
Bower
D B
DB
Vogel
W H
WH
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology; D004597:Electroshock; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D012931:Social Environment
D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine