Motor System
There are also differences between males and females in a more natural setting--open-field activity test.
- In the open-field activity test, a rat is placed in a large open testing arena and the amount of time spent walking around (ambulation) and rearing can be determined
- females ambulate and rear more than males
- ovariectomy decreases these responses, while castration has no effect in males
The relationship between estrogen and increases motoric responses in the adult is associated with organizational and activation effects:
- androgens/estrogens need to be low during perinatal development for feminization of this behavioral response (organizational effect)
- increases in estrogen that occur in females during estrus cycle are needed to produce high levels of open-field activity in the adult
The significance of estrogen-stimulated motoric responses may be associated with finding a mate and/or motoric responses involved with mating.