Total home-cage activity as a function of the estrous cycle and wheel running in the rat

Abstract

Activity was time-sampled and examined with reference to three variables: the estrous cycle, access to running wheels, and individual differences in exploratory behavior. Total activity paralleled exploratory behavior as the latter fluctuated with the estrous cycle. When behaviors were averaged over days, running did not affect total activity. Implications for a regulation of total activity were discussed. © 1971, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.