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The open-field behaviour of mice infected with Trichinella pseudospiralis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

M. E. Rau
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitology, McGill University, Macdonald College 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, CanadaH9X 1C0

Summary

The behaviour of mice exposed to graded doses of Trichinella pseudospiralis larvae was monitored in an open-field situation. Ambulatory activity declined briefly during the acute phase of the infection (day 11) but regained pre-infection levels 1 week later. Animals receiving heavy doses of T. pseudospiralis exhibited a mild increase in the level of ambulatory activity during the chronic phase of the infection. The infections did not affect the level of exploratory activity. The effects of the T. pseudospiralis infections on the behaviour of the mouse host were much less pronounced than those induced by T. spiralis. It is suggested that these differences may be associated with the small size of T. pseudospiralis and the lack of capsule formation.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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