A Sex Difference in the Onset of the Latent Learning Impairment in Rats

作者：Stouffer Eric M^*; Barry Jessica L

来源：Developmental Psychobiology, 2014, 56(5): 1134-1141.

DOI：10.1002/dev.21168

• aging
• sex difference
• middle age
• latent learning

The current study examined a sex difference in the onset of a latent learning impairment in Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty rats (20 male, 20 female) were tested on the Latent Cue Preference (LCP) task at 3 or 11 months of age. Additionally, 19 female rats were tested at 14 or 18 months of age. All rats were given four training trials in the LCP task using a three-compartment box, during which the rats explored a water-paired compartment and an unpaired compartment (each with a different visual cue) on consecutive days. Rats were then water-deprived for 23 hr and given a compartment preference test, in which more time spent in the water-paired compartment demonstrated latent learning. Results showed that 11-month old males and 18-month old females showed impaired latent learning, but 11- and 14-month old females showed intact latent learning, which may possibly be due to the neuroprotective effects of estrogen.

• 出版日期2014-7