Circadian differences in maze performance of C57BI/6 Ola mice

The diurnal expression of performance in a six-point alley-T-maze was studied in C57BI/6 Ola mice. Besides the error rate, the latency time for leaving the start box as well as the number of alleys entered per min were determined. From 08.00 hrs on, a group of 10 animals was investigated every four hours. Each group received one trial per day. Home cage activity was continously monitored over a 14-day period. The results revealed the development of a circadian rhythm of maze performance in the course of training, which became significant as from the 4th day. The best maze performance was observed in the middle of the dark phase, from 23.07 to 03.15 hrs. No indication of a direct relationship between home cage and ambulatory activity in the maze could be found.