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Abstract
The present study investigated sex differences and the effect of a high level of estradiol
in the female meadow vole on performance in the forced swim test (FST) and the Morris
water maze in meadow voles. Female meadow voles were ovariectomized (OVX) and administered
either vehicle (sesame oil) or estradiol for 2 days prior to performing the FST. Four
days following the FST, all animals were run in the Morris water maze. Results indicated
that estradiol-injected female meadow voles showed more 'depressive-like' behaviors
in the FST (greater time spent immobile and less time spent swimming) than vehicle-treated
female or male meadow voles. In addition, estradiol-treated females had impaired performance
(greater latencies and distance swam to reach the hidden platform) than both vehicle-treated
female and male meadow voles, consistent with previous data. Despite the fact that
estradiol administration increased 'depressive-like' behaviors in the FST and impaired
performance in the Morris water maze, there was no correlation between the two behaviors
indicating that 'depressive-like' behaviors did not account for the differences seen
in spatial performance in the Morris water maze. To our knowledge, this is the first
demonstration in rodents indicating that estradiol-mediated changes in behavior in
the FST is not indicative of subsequent performance in the Morris water maze.