Effect of early malnutrition and environmental stimulation in the performance of rats in the elevated plus maze.
Malnourished rats since birth (mothers fed on 6% of protein) or controlled ones (16% of protein), half of each group received environmental stimulation (ES) from the age of 0-35th day, were studied. The performance in the elevated plus maze (EPM) was assessed on the last day. ES increased time spent and also the entries into open arms of EPM, but malnourished non-stimulated rats visited more segments near the central area than the distant ones. Data suggests an anxiolytic effect of ES which is less evident in malnourished rats.
Pereira-da-Silva
Maria Surama
MS
Laboratório de Fisiologia da Nutrição Naíde Teodosio (LAFINNT), Departamento de Nutrição Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, 50670-901, Brazil. suramap@gmail.com
Cabral-Filho
José Eulálio
JE
de-Oliveira
Luiz Marcellino
LM
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety; D004032:Diet; D004777:Environment; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000523:psychology*; D018782:Maze Learning; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors