60-Hz electric fields: detection by female rats

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bem.2250060110· OSTI ID:5962592

Stern, S; Laties, V G

Female rats were trained to detect a vertical, 60-Hz electric field using the same apparatus and procedure the authors used previously to study behavioral detection of the field by male rats. Each rat was trained individually to press a lever in the presence of the field and not to press in its absence. Correct detections occasionally produced a food pellet. The probability of detecting the field increased as field strength increased. The threshold of detection - i.e., the field strength required for detections at a probability of 0.5 after correction for errors - varied among rats between 3 and 10 kV/m. Behavioral detection by female rats was indistinguishable from that by male rats. 17 references, 1 figure.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, NY
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76EV03490
• OSTI ID: 5962592
• Journal Information: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Bioelectromagnetics (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 6; ISSN BLCTD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560400* -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BEHAVIOR
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ERRORS
FEMALES
MAMMALS
PROBABILITY
RATS
RODENTS
VERTEBRATES