Ma Liang, Chen Yan-Hui, Wei Li-Xin
Department of Pediatrics, Xiehe Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350001, China.
Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi. 2011 Jul;13(7):586-9.
To study the effects of early enriched environment on behavioral development and serum corticosterone level in rats.
Forty-five neonatal rats were randomly assigned into three groups：blank control, enriched environment and isolated environment. The open-field environment test and the Lat maze test were performed to assess anxiety/irritability-related behaviors of the rats on postnatal day 31. The level of serum corticosterone was measured by radioimmunology assay.
The level of serum corticosterone in the enriched environment group (8±3 ng/mL) was significantly lower than the blank control (11±4 ng/mL) and the isolated groups (22±4 ng/mL) (P<0.01). The open-field environment test showed that the numbers of passing panels, keeping an erect posture and grooming were less than those in the blank control and the isolated groups (P<0.05). According to the results of the Lat maze test, the frequencies of running across the corner, keeping an erect posture and leaning against the wall in the enriched environment group were less than those in the blank control and the isolated groups (P<0.05).
Early enriched environment can decrease serum corticosterone level and thus alleviates anxiety and irritability in rats. It may play an important role in the improvement of brain development.
研究早期丰富环境对大鼠行为发育及血清皮质酮水平的影响。
将45只新生大鼠随机分为三组：空白对照组、丰富环境组和隔离环境组。在出生后第31天进行旷场环境试验和Lat迷宫试验，以评估大鼠的焦虑/易怒相关行为。采用放射免疫分析法测定血清皮质酮水平。
丰富环境组血清皮质酮水平（8±3 ng/mL）显著低于空白对照组（11±4 ng/mL）和隔离组（22±4 ng/mL）（P<0.01）。旷场环境试验显示，丰富环境组穿过平板、保持直立姿势和理毛的次数少于空白对照组和隔离组（P<0.05）。根据Lat迷宫试验结果，丰富环境组穿过角落、保持直立姿势和靠墙的频率低于空白对照组和隔离组（P<0.05）。
早期丰富环境可降低血清皮质酮水平，从而减轻大鼠的焦虑和易怒情绪。它可能在改善脑发育方面发挥重要作用。
