BEHAVIOR OF RATS IN AN OPEN-FIELD FOLLOWING THE ACTION OF A MAGNETIC-FIELD

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (1) , 72-78
Abstract
The influence of magnetic field on a complex physiological reaction in the open field test was studied in experiments on 160 rats. Open field behavior was observed for 3 consecutive days simultaneously in control rats and those subjected for 3-4 h immediately before each test to a weakly pulsing magnetic field [MF] with a 0.3 T [tesla] induction or a strictly constant magnetic field of 1.6 T. Individual behavioral reactions to the MF action were characterized by great variability and could be of different direction. According to mean data, the 0.3 T MF action depressed motor and investigating behavior of the rats in the open field. An increase of magnetic induction up to 1.6 T, far from enhancing the inhibitory effect, showed a tendency towards activation of behavior in the open field. Apparently, with the intensities used, pulsation is a biologically more significant characteristic of the magnetic field than the magnitude of induction.