Title
The Effects Of The Estrous Cycle And Its Hormones On Discriminative Behavior In The Albino Rat
Type
thesis
Abstract
Fifteen female Holtzman rats were used to make correlations between ability to perform a previously learned discrimination task and stage of the estrous cycle. The rats were then injected subcutaneously, eight with 10/g of estradiol-17b, and seven with 3mg of progesterone. A comparison was made of their performances of the discrimination task. No correlation was found between ability to discriminate and stage of the estrous cycle. However, rats injected with estradiol-17b scored significantly better than did rats injected with progesterone. The results indicate that estrogen and progesterone significantly affect the rat’s ability to successfully perform a discrimination task. Possible explanations for this relationship are discussed.
Degree Awarded
Bachelor's
Semester
Spring
Department
Life & Environmental Sciences