University of Lethbridge
Sex differences in movement organization : a kinematic analysis of evasive dodging movements used during food protection in the rat : influence of partner's sex, neonatal and pubertal exposure to androgens
Abstract
The role of sex in the organization of movement is not commonly addressed in the literature. The objective of this thesis was to determine whether differences exist between males and females in the way they organize their movements during dodging to protect a food item. Detailed kinematic analysis of these movements in adult rats shows that females move their snout through a greater spatial curvature, relative to the pelvis, than males. The sex of the robbing animal did not alter the sex-typical movement paterns exhibited. Manipulation of neonatal androgens altered the sex-typical dodge patterns of both males and females. Removal of androgens at weaning however, did not affect the male-typical pattern. The existence of sex differences in the organization of movement provides a new level of analysis for the study of sexual dimorphism in behavior.
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Authors
-
- Field, Evelyn F.
- University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Subjects
dc:subject × 3Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Identifier
- hdl:10133/43
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/43