title: Behavioral studies in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
abstract: In the present study we examined some behavioral patterns in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) male rats as compared with Wistar (W) rats. The following methods were employed: open field test, two-way active avoidance, passive avoidance, shock-induced fighting, shock-induced suppression of drinking (conflict test), and dominant-subordinate behavior in rats competing for water. Spontaneously hypertensive rats showed higher level of locomotor activity, lower emotionality, lower anxiety level, increased acquisition of avoidance tasks, and enhanced dominance behavior. In addition, hypertensive rats were less aggressive in shock-induced fighting test. It is concluded, that spontaneously hypertensive rats seem to be hyperactive in terms of locomotor activity while their emotionality appears to be paradoxically reduced.
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D004326:Drinking; D004597:Electroshock; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains