Interaction of Hypoxia and Food Deprivation on Patterns of Locomotor Behavior in Rats

Abstract

Eight male rats were allowed 20 min. of free running in an activity wheel under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (8% O2) conditions. In Exp. 1, Ss were not food deprived. In Exp. 2, Ss were food-deprived. Analogue records were taken of the speed of the wheel over time. Results indicated that the reduction of activity associated with hypoxia was related to increased duration of stopping periods. Characteristics of locomotor behavior within “bursts” of running showed relatively little change. Hypoxia generally had a greater effect on several aspects of the running behavior of nondeprived rats than on the behavior of deprived rats. Results are interpreted in terms of the effect of motivation on behavior under hypoxic conditions.