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Behavior of hypertensive and hyperactive rat strains: hyperactivity is not unitarily determined
T Sagvolden1, E D Hendley, S Knardahl
1Department of Neurophysiology, University of Oslo, Norway.
Physiology & Behavior
|July 1, 1992
Summary
New rat strains (WKHT and WKHA) were developed to separate hypertension from hyperactivity. The WKHA strain shows reduced, less pervasive hyperactivity compared to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).
Area of Science:
- Behavioral neuroscience
- Animal models of hypertension
Background:
- Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit hyperactivity.
- Breeding SHR with Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) led to WKHT and WKHA strains.
- These strains aim to dissociate hypertension from hyperactivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify behavioral traits of SHR separated from hypertension in the WKHA strain.
- To characterize the behavioral differences between SHR, WKY, WKHT, and WKHA rats.
Main Methods:
- Forced-exploration tests.
- Free-exploration open field tests.
- Two-component schedule of reinforcement (fixed-interval and extinction).
Main Results:
- SHR and WKHA rats were hyperactive in forced exploration.
- SHR showed greater activity, shorter latencies, and more ambulation/rearing in open field than other strains.
- SHR exhibited steeper fixed-interval scallops and more responses during extinction, influenced by reinforcement value.
Conclusions:
- WKHA hyperactivity is less pervasive than SHR hyperactivity.
- Behavioral characteristics of SHR are partially dissociated from hypertension in the WKHA strain.