Behavior features of rats in the “Open field” test under the influence of kisspeptin-10

Abstract

To investigate the specifics of the effect of kisspeptin-10 on the behavioural responses of males and females in the open field test. The experiments were performed on 30 male and 30 female sexually mature white rats weighing 250–270 g. The behavior was studied 1 hour and 24 hours after the introduction of kisspeptin-10, which was administered intranasally at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg (20 μg in 20 μl, 10 μl in each nasal passage). The control group of rats was injected with saline solution intranasally 20 μl, 10 μl in each nasal passage according to a similar scheme. In male rats under the influence of kisspeptin-10, changes in behavioural reactions in the ‘open field’ test were observed, which may indicate a decrease in the animals’ emotionality and anxiety in new living conditions. The established changes in indicators may indicate an improvement in the processes of adaptation to new conditions under the influence of kisspeptin-10, a reduction in anxiety. At the same time, the changes in the animals’ behavior that occurred 24 hours after the introduction of kisspeptin-10 indicate that the rats adapted to the ‘novelty factor’ and decreased interest in being in the ‘open field’ test. Such changes may indicate the presence of a potential positive neurotropic effect of kisspeptin-10. When comparing the behavioral reactions of female and male rats in the ‘open field’ test, we can talk about a more active effect of kisspeptin-10 on the body of males, which was manifested in a decrease in the level of anxiety. Such features of the action of kisspeptin-10 May be due to differences between the sexes in the response to ‘novelty’ in the ‘open field’ test, in particular, males showed more stable behavior and smaller limits of its fluctuation. 1. In the ‘open field’ test, basic intersex differences in the emotionality of rats were revealed. 2. Application of kisspeptin-10 intranasally, in a dose of 20 μg, modified the emotional and behavioral reactions of mainly male rats.