Behavioral assessment of rats through the forced-swimming test

Authors

  • Ana Luiza Peretti Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).
  • Camila Thieimi Rosa Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).
  • Tatiane Kamada Errero Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).
  • Vinícius Baretta Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).
  • Sara Cristina Sagae Schneider Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).
  • Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertolini Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2015.1.20113

Keywords:

Behavior, animal, Exercise, Stress, psychological

Abstract

Aims: Regular exercise has several beneficial effects. However, reports show increasing concentrations of endogenous corticosteroids, which may inhibit neurogenesis and deteriorate cognitive functions, thus raising doubts as to the benefits of physical exercise. The objective of this study was to evaluate, through behavioral tests, the effect of chronic forced swimming with and without overload on anxiety parameters in Wistar rats.

Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats, divided into three groups, were assessed: Control Group – subjected only to evaluations and contact with water; Swimming Group – consisting of animals submitted to progressive swimming time; Weight-loaded Swimming Group – consisting of animals submitted to swimming with loads in excess of 10% of their body weight. The exercise was performed three times a week in the afternoon, with swimming time increases every two weeks (20, 30, and 40 minutes), during six weeks, A 200-liter circular water tank, filled to a depth of 50 cm, was used, and the water temperature was kept between 30º and 32º C. The animals’ anxiety was assessed by the Elevated Plus Maze and Open Field tests.

Results: No significant differences between the three groups were detected by any of the behavioral tests.

Conclusions: No changes were observed in the behavioral pattern of Wistar rats submitted to different exercise protocols (forced swimming with and without overload) compared to the control group.

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Author Biographies

Ana Luiza Peretti, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).

Laboratório de Estudo das Lesões e Recursos Fisioterapêuticos da Unioeste.

Camila Thieimi Rosa, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).

Laboratório de Estudo das Lesões e Recursos Fisioterapêuticos da Unioeste.

Tatiane Kamada Errero, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).

Laboratório de Estudo das Lesões e Recursos Fisioterapêuticos da Unioeste.

Vinícius Baretta, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).

Laboratório de Estudo das Lesões e Recursos Fisioterapêuticos da Unioeste.

Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertolini, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste).

Possui graduação em Fisioterapia pela Universidade Estadual de Londrina (1995), mestrado em Engenharia Elétrica e Informática Industrial pela Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (2003) e doutorado em Ciências da Saúde Aplicadas ao Aparelho Locomotor pela Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto / Universidade de São Paulo (2008). Atualmente é prof. adjunto C da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, docente da graduação em Fisioterapia e Mestrado em Biociências e Saúde. Tem experiência na área de Fisioterapia, com ênfase em Fisioterapia Ortopédica e Traumatológica, atuando principalmente nos seguintes temas: fisioterapia, laser de baixa potência, alongamento muscular, imobilização e remobilização, dor e ultrassom terapêutico. Atualmente é Bolsista Produtividade da Fundação Araucária. Membro do Comitê Assessor de Área - Fisioterapia INEP (MEC). Plantonista do Centro de Reabiltiação Física da Unioeste, com atendimento em Fisioterapia Ortopédica e Traumatológica.

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Published

2015-06-20

How to Cite

Peretti, A. L., Rosa, C. T., Errero, T. K., Baretta, V., Schneider, S. C. S., & Bertolini, G. R. F. (2015). Behavioral assessment of rats through the forced-swimming test. Scientia Medica, 25(1), ID20113. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2015.1.20113

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 1 (2015)

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Original Articles

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