Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
4. Two identical objects: (See Note 2).
5. A novel object (similar in size to familiar objects).
6. 70% ETOH.
7. Paper towels.
8. Two silent-operation stopwatches (no beeps or other noises
when time is started or stopped).
9. Timer.
3
Methods
3.1
Rat FST
EPO (500 U/kg) is injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) once per day
for 2 consecutive days. Vehicle is similarly administered to a second
group of rats (8 rats/group) (see Notes 3 and 4).
1. EPO and vehicle are administered as on the prior 2 days to the
same groups of rats. This is the third consecutive day of treat-
ment. Time injections so that pairs of rats are injected every
20-25 min. Swim testing starts for the first pair of rats 4 h after
they are injected.
2. The two cylinders are placed on a cart or table at one end of
the room, with a plain white surface (such as a bare wall)
behind them and a white divider between them. Visual stimuli
should be the same on the outer sides of both cylinders. Ensure
that normal overhead lighting falls evenly on both cylinders.
3. All rats to be tested are brought in their homecages into a
quiet holding room near the testing room and acclimate for
1 h before the first pair is tested.
4. Attach hose or tubing (see Note 1) to faucet and fill cylinders
while adjusting the hot and cold flows so that the temperature
of water is 23-25 °C. Fill to a depth of 45 cm.
5. After rats acclimate for 1 h, two rats at a time are brought from
the holding room into the testing room and lowered by the tail
into the two cylinders (see Note 5). The experiment timer is
started and runs for 15 min. The experimenter sits (equidistant
from both cylinders) on the opposite side of the room. Behavior
is not scored on day 1.
6. At the end of the 15 min session, the rats are removed from the
water and placed in clean rat cages lined with several dry paper
or cloth towels. They are dried with the towels and then remain
in the drying cages for 15 min before being returned to their
homecages.
7. Cylinders are emptied and refilled with clean water for the next
pair of rats. The process is repeated for remaining animals.
3.1.1
Swim Day 1
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