The effects of the duration of adaptation to laboratory conditions on the formation of a passive avoidance reflex in rats.

The level of adaptation of rats to their new living conditions was studied during formation of a passive avoidance habit using a single combination. A short acclimation period (3 days) had positive influences on the ability of rats to retain a memory trace. There was a negative correlation between step-through latency and measures of anxiety behavior in the elevated cross maze. A change in the adaptation period to nine days decreased the state of anxiety and the level of performance of the conditioned response. There were no correlations between these measures. The modulating role of the level of adaptation to living conditions, associated with different levels of anxiety, in a passive one-session avoidance learning model was assessed.