A swimming test for assessing effects of drugs upon motor performance in the guinea-pig (Cavia porcellus).
A swimming test was developed to provide a method for assessing gross motor behaviour in the guinea-pig (Cavia porcellus). The simplicity of the procedure enables a large number of animals to be tested in a short time. Learning was not required of the animals, thereby simplifying the interpretation of the effects of drugs. Control animals were highly motivated to complete the task and the variability in swimming times was small. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor sarin significantly increased swimming time in a dose-related manner and did not affect "turning behaviour" during the swim. Alcohol, diazepam and amphetamine increased swimming time but only in the larger doses tested. Diazepam also increased turning behaviour. The suitability of the test for measuring effects of drugs upon gross motor behaviour in the guinea-pig is discussed.
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D012524:Sarin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013550:Swimming; D013997:Time Factors
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D000431:Ethanol; D012524:Sarin; D000661:Amphetamine; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D003975:Diazepam