Ontogenesis of lateralized rotational behavior in hamsters: a time series study

This is a longitudinal study of the postnatal development of lateralized rotational behavior. Hamsters (n = 75) were tested for spontaneous rotational behavior in cylindrical arenas, from P2 (P1 = day of birth) to P60. A daily laterality index was calculated for each animal, of which the averages and standard deviations were used to follow the animals' lateralized behavior. A strong variability between and within animals appeared throughout development, with a tendency to the right side in most animals, which declined after the first postnatal week. No oscillatory cycles were identified. To study patterns of development, the series were divided into four periods and the animals were separated into five groups. The laterality indexes of all four periods were significantly different between the groups. A total of 79% of the animals showed consistent behavior along development: either a preference to one side (20% left, 26% right), or no preference at all (33%). The remaining animals changed preference during development. Only a few animals remained strongly lateralized throughout the 60 days, most of them showing a slight, non-significant preference after P10. Results suggest an ontogenetic decrease in lateralization of this behavior that could in part be explained by the maturation of an interhemispheric regulatory system.