Effects of non-lethal doses of ionising radiation on the instrumental behaviour of rats

Author: Tukalenko Eugene V.   Varetsky Vyacheslav V.   Rakochi Olexander G.   Dmitrieva Inna R.   Makarchuk Mikola U.  

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

ISSN: 1477-6545

Source: International Journal of Low Radiation, Vol.4, Iss.3, 2007-11, pp. : 232-247

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Abstract

The dose-effect dependence of the instrumental behaviour of white rats after a single total γ-exposure (60Co) in the dosage range of 0.05 to 7.0 Gy was studied. Generalised results of seven years of our studies of post-radiation changes of operant behaviour in shuttle (active avoidance of shock negative reinforcement) and in Skinner (drinking reward positive reinforcement) boxes were evaluated weekly for a two-month period after exposure. The dose dependence, obtained using these two behavioural paradigms, displays a non-linear pattern. Three regions with different characteristic patterns of the observed effects were found: performance declines relative to control animals after exposure to doses up to 1.0 Gy; performance increases at doses in the range from 1.0 to 3.0 Gy; and again declines with dose increases up to 7.0 Gy. Possible underlying mechanisms, particularly the role of additional stress caused by animal testing, are discussed.