Reliability of Various Measures Obtained in Open-Field Test

Abstract

6 open-field measures, defecation, ambulation, urination, rearing, crossing, and freezing, were obtained. Subjects were tested twice. The first test was conducted when subjects were 105 days old and the second when they were 224 days old, that is, 4 mo. later. The reliability of these measures was examined using analysis of variance, correlations for odd vs even days, and test-retest. Data suggested ambulation, defecation, rearing, and freezing are reliable measures of behavior in the open-field test.