Motor competence in rats of different stocks reared in large and small litters

The effects of sex and stock on a task of motor competence (balancing on a rod) were studied in Long-Evans, Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats reared in large and small litters. The data indicated significant sex and stock effects but no effects of rearing condition. Although no nutritional effect was found on this task, the data suggest that stock differences should receive greater attention particularly with regard to the possibilities that such differences provide for the identification and analysis of a broad spectrum of effects.