Published 4 issues per year
ISSN Print: 2155-014X
ISSN Online: 2155-0158
Effect of Chronic Dietary Caloric Restriction on the Age-Related Peculiarities of Orientative − Exploratory Behavior in Rats
ABSTRACT
Long-term caloric restriction (CR) has been reported to extend the life expectancy, delay the onset and decrease the incidence of a broad spectrum of age-related diseases. However, its effect on rat orientative − exploratory behavior is still unclear. In the present study, a number of behavioral measures were continuously monitored in 3-, 12-, 24-25-, 28-29-and 35-44-month-old male Wistar rats that were fed either ad libitum or placed on a caloric restricted diet. A gradual decline in locomotor activity of the ad libitum fed rats has been determined during aging in the open field test. In the CR groups, 3-month-old rats exhibited lower levels of exploratory behavior, compared to rats on the control diet. 24-25-month-old CR rats exhibited higher levels of exploratory behavior, compared to ad libitum fed animals of the same age. Chronic dietary restriction nullified the age-dependent decline in locomotor activity and exploratory behavior of rats.