Sexually dimorphic organization of open field behavior following moderate prenatal alcohol exposure
Author ORCID Identifier
Jenna Osterlund Oltmanns: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4461-6205
Ericka A. Schaeffer: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7006-0178
Publication Title
Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
ISSN
01456008
E-ISSN
15300277
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can produce deficits in a wide range of cognitive functions but is especially detrimental to behaviors requiring accurate spatial information processing. In open field environments, spatial behavior is organized such that animals establish “home bases” marked by long stops focused around one location. Progressions away from the home base are circuitous and slow, while progressions directed toward the home base are non-circuitous and fast. The impact of PAE on the organization of open field behavior has not been experimentally investigated. Methods: In the present study, adult female and male rats with moderate PAE or saccharin exposure locomoted a circular high walled open field for 30 minutes under lighted conditions. Results: The findings indicate that PAE and sex influence the organization of open field behavior. Consistent with previous literature, PAE rats exhibited greater locomotion in the open field. Novel findings from the current study indicate that PAE and sex also impact open field measures specific to spatial orientation. While all rats established a home base on the periphery of the open field, PAE rats, particularly males, exhibited significantly less clustered home base stopping with smaller changes in heading between stops. PAE also impaired progression measures specific to distance estimation, while sex alone impacted progression measures specific to direction estimation. Conclusions: These findings support the conclusion that adult male rats have an increased susceptibility to the effects of PAE on the organization of open field behavior.
First Page
861
Last Page
875
Publication Date
5-1-2022
DOI
10.1111/acer.14813
PubMed ID
35315075
Keywords
fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, home base, movement scaling, open field, spatial orientation
Recommended Citation
Osterlund Oltmanns, Jenna R.; Schaeffer, Ericka A.; Goncalves Garcia, Monica; Donaldson, Tia N; Acosta, Gabriela; Sanchez, Lilliana M.; Davies, Suzy; Savage, Daniel D; Wallace, Douglas G.; and Clark, Benjamin J., "Sexually dimorphic organization of open field behavior following moderate prenatal alcohol exposure" (2022). NIU Bibliography. 60.
https://huskiecommons.lib.niu.edu/niubib/60
Department
Department of Psychology
