Event Title
The Effects of Social Enrichment and Physical Exercise on Spatial Learning in Rats: An Investigation of Sex Differences
Faculty Mentor
Kristina Dandy, Walter L. Isaac
Keywords
Kristina Dandy, Walter L. Isaac
Abstract
Previous research suggests that environmental enrichment can augment spatial learning in rats; differences between sexes may also exist. Therefore, as part of a two-phase study, 24 female and 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to social enrichment, physical exercise, or no enrichment for 30 days, followed by 10 days of testing in a standard eight-arm radial maze to assess spatial learning. Test days were collapsed into five 2-day blocks, and total time spent in the maze was recorded; less time indicated faster learning. Results of a three-way repeated measures (RM) ANOVA with Condition (Social Enrichment, Control), Sex (Male vs. Female) and Block (1-5) revealed that although all rats completed the maze with similar latencies by block 5, the speed of learning was facilitated by exposure to enrichment and impacted by sex. Assessment of how physical exercise impacts spatial learning is currently in progress, with results expected in early March.
Session Name:
Effects and Effectivity: Sex, Surgery, and Supplementation
Start Date
4-4-2014 10:15 AM
End Date
4-4-2014 11:15 AM
Location
HSB 211
The Effects of Social Enrichment and Physical Exercise on Spatial Learning in Rats: An Investigation of Sex Differences
HSB 211
Previous research suggests that environmental enrichment can augment spatial learning in rats; differences between sexes may also exist. Therefore, as part of a two-phase study, 24 female and 25 male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to social enrichment, physical exercise, or no enrichment for 30 days, followed by 10 days of testing in a standard eight-arm radial maze to assess spatial learning. Test days were collapsed into five 2-day blocks, and total time spent in the maze was recorded; less time indicated faster learning. Results of a three-way repeated measures (RM) ANOVA with Condition (Social Enrichment, Control), Sex (Male vs. Female) and Block (1-5) revealed that although all rats completed the maze with similar latencies by block 5, the speed of learning was facilitated by exposure to enrichment and impacted by sex. Assessment of how physical exercise impacts spatial learning is currently in progress, with results expected in early March.