Effect of forced swim stress on wistar albino rats in various behavioral parameters

Abstract

Introduction: Stress is an important factor of depression that causes the changes in various body systems. The forced swim test is a commonly used stressor test where rats are forced to swim in specially constructed tanks for a particular period where there is behavioral activation characterized by vigorous swimming and diving to search for alternate routes of escape. Animal health including human has been shown to be affected by the stressful events of life inducing situation which alters cognition, learning memory and emotional responses, causing mental disorders like depression and anxiety and stress in rats. Methods: The experiment was carried out with 12 healthy albino Wistar female rats weighing about 150-180gms. The animals were randomly divided into two groups of six animals each. Group – I (control), Group – II (Stressed Group). Group –II rats are placed in plastic tanks for 45minutes for15 days. Temperature of water was maintained at 20˚C. During stress phase, the animals will be trained for forced swim test, behavioral changes observed by open field apparatus for emotions, and eight arm maze for memory & leaning, elevated plus maze for anxiety. Results: Forced swim stress causes to a significant change (p<0.05) on cognitive functions: motivation, learning and memory. Forced swim stress is the factor damaging the hippocampus causes repeated immobilization and produce atrophy of dendrites of pyramidal neurons and neuroendocrinological disturbances, controlled by the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). Repeated stress in the form of forced swimming activates the free radical processes leading to an increase in lipid peroxidation in many tissues. Conclusion: This study reveals the effect of repeated forced swim stress causes wide range of adaptive changes in the central nervous system including the elevation of serotonin (5- HT) metabolism and an increased susceptibility to affective disorders. The earlier findings have reported that chronic and acute stress procedures weaken working memory functions in rats. There are very few studies on sub acute forced swim stress on working memory status of the animal. The study was undertaken to assess the various behavioral changes by applying sub acute forced swim.

Authors and Affiliations

Ambareesha Kondam| Department of Physiology, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, MAHER University Corresponding author: Email: ambareesh.kondam@gmail.com, Nilesh N Kate| Department of Physiology, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, MAHER University, Gaja Lakshmi| Department of Physiology, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, MAHER University, Suresh M| Department of Physiology, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, MAHER University, Chandrashekar M| Department of Physiology, Meenakshi Medical College and Research Institute, Kanchipuram, MAHER University

Keywords

Related Articles

Determining the optimal portal blood volume in a shunt before surgery in extrahepatic portal hypertension

The aim of the study: To determine the necessary shunt diameter and assess the optimal portal blood volume in a shunt in children with extrahepatic portal hypertension before the portosystemic shunt surgery. Changes in...

DOUBLE SUPRASCAPULAR FORAMINA: AN ANATOMICAL VARIATION

Suprascapular notch transmit supra scapular nerve to the supraspinous fossa. Transverse scapular ligament bridges the notch to form a supra scapular foramen. This region is the most common location of supra scapular ne...

The Effect of Care Plan Application Based on Roy’s Adaptation Model on The Spiritual Well-Being of Elderly People in Urmia Nursing Homes

With the growing elderly population and the incidence of complications and problems associated with this period, the need to make a positive adaptation during this important period of life, is considerable. In this rega...

The Investigation of Relationship between Height and Deep Vein Thrombosis

According to Virsho triad, the blood stasis plays an important role in venous thrombosis, and it seems that their height affects the risk of venous thrombosis. For this reason, considering the pressure difference betwee...

PROSPECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF NSAIDs INDUCED ADRs IN ORTHOPAEDIC IN-PATIENTS

Background and Objectives: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one among the most widely used medications to treat pain and inflammation condition. But inadvertent use of NSAIDs have resulted in gastric u...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP10934
  • DOI -
  • Views 505
  • Downloads 28

How To Cite

Ambareesha Kondam, Nilesh N Kate, Gaja Lakshmi, Suresh M, Chandrashekar M (2012). Effect of forced swim stress on wistar albino rats in various behavioral parameters. International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences (IJMRHS), 1(1), 7-12. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-10934