Note to users. If you're seeing this message, it means that your browser cannot find this page's style/presentation instructions -- or possibly that you are using a browser that does not support current Web standards. Find out more about why this message is appearing, and what you can do to make your experience of our site the best it can be.

Science 3 April 1970:
Vol. 168. no. 3927, pp. 147 - 151
DOI: 10.1126/science.168.3927.147
Prev | Table of Contents | Next

Articles

Hormonal Effects on Ontogeny of Swimming Ability in the Rat: Assessment of Central Nervous System Development

Shawn Schapiro 1, Manuel Salas 1, and Katherine Vukovich 1

1 Developmental Neuroendocrinology Laboratory, Veterans Administration Hospital, San Fernando, California, and Department of Psychiatry, Center for the Health Sciences, University of Californiiia, Los Angeles

The maturation of swimming behavior and the evoked cortical response to sciatic stimulation were studied in newborn rats receiving thyroxine or cortisol. Compared to that of controls the maturation of swimming is accelerated or delayed 2 to 3 days by thyroxine or cortisol treatment, respectively, and this corresponds to ontogenetic shifts in the characteristics of the evoked potential. Front leg movement during swimming normally diminishes at about 16 days of age and is inhibited by day 22. Thyroxine also advances and cortisol delays the age at which this inhibitory mechanism becomes evident, and compresses (thyroxine) or expands (cortisol) the time interval over which it becomes functional. During early postnatal life certain circuilating hormones can affect the rate and chronology of central nervous system maturation. Swimming behavior may be a simple model to use in studies concerned with factors affecting the functional and behavioral development of the central nervouts system.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Effects of Prenatal Rubratoxin-B Exposure on Behaviors of Mouse Offspring.
T. Kihara, T. W. Surjono, M. Sakamoto, T. Matsuo, Y. Yasuda, and T. Tanimura (2001)
Toxicol. Sci. 61, 368-373
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Effects of Prenatal Aflatoxin B1 Exposure on Behaviors of Rat Offspring.
T. Kihara, T. Matsuo, M. Sakamoto, Y. Yasuda, Y. Yamamoto, and T. Tanimura (2000)
Toxicol. Sci. 53, 392-399
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Paradoxical Kinesia in Parkinsonism Is Not Caused by Dopamine Release: Studies in an Animal Model.
K. A. Keefe, J. D. Salamone, M. J. Zigmond, and E. M. Stricker (1989)
Arch Neurol 46, 1070-1075
   Abstract »    PDF »
Movement disorders of aged rats: reversal by dopamine receptor stimulation.
J. Marshall and N Berrios (1979)
Science 206, 477-479
   Abstract »    PDF »
Administration of Corticosteroids to Induce Maturation of Fetal Lung.
L. Gluck (1976)
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 130, 976-978
   Abstract »    PDF »
Harderian Gland: Development and Influence of Early Hormonal Treatment on Porphyrin Content.
L. Wetterberg, A. Yuwiler, E. Geller, and S. Schapiro (1970)
Science 168, 996-998
   Abstract »    PDF »


To Advertise     Find Products

Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)