Abstract
Handling of rat pups for 5 min once a week prior to weaning to permit weighing of the litter significantly delays vaginal opening and ovulation and is associated with a reduction in the response to an ether stress administered at 60 days of age. Handling combined with replacement of the bedding material results in a further delay in puberty and a further reduction in the stress response. It is therefore necessary to follow uniform handling procedures in any study of a developmental process.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 487-489 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Physiology and Behavior |
Volume | 15 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 1975 |
Keywords
- Adrenal
- Handling
- Maturation
- Puberty
- Stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience