Methylmercury-induced changes in operant discrimination by the pigeon

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5627531

Laties, V G; Evans, H L

Pigeons were trained on a fixed consecutive number schedule of reinforcement, pecking eight or nine ties on one key (a run) before making the single response on a second key that was reinforced if the number requirement had been met. A run of fewer than eight or more than nine responses reset the response requirement. They then were given methylmercury chronically until behavioral signs of poisoning occurred. Where possible, recovery was followed. Percentage of reinforcers earned and rate at which the birds pecked both decreased, whereas variability of run length increased after enough methylmercury had been given to produce blood mercury concentrations between 13 and 27 ppM. Some birds also showed consistent shortening of run length throughout the time of maximum poisoning. Because ataxia was a common accompaniment of the changes in operant behavior, other methods of producing ataxia (hobbling one foot or dosing with ethanol) were also studied in some birds. The pattern of changes induced with these methods did not match that seen after methylmercury.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester, NY
• OSTI ID: 5627531
• Journal Information: J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.; (United States) Vol. 214:3; ISSN JPETA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550100 -- Behavioral Biology
560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIRDS
CONDITIONED REFLEXES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
LEARNING
METHYLMERCURY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC MERCURY COMPOUNDS
PIGEONS
REFLEXES
TOXICITY
VERTEBRATES