Correlation between the level of behavioral activity, circulating concentrations of corticosterone in rats with different resistance to hypoxia

The objective of our research was to determine correlation between the level of corticosterone, behavioral activity and the initial resistance to hypoxia. The study was performed on 46 white rats. Animals initially exposed to hyperbaric hypoxia. According to the results of testing the animals were divided into highly resistant (HR) and low resistant (LR), and intermediately resistant animals (IR). In the blood plasma corticosterone content was determined. In the liver we estimated activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and monoamine oxidase (MAO-B) Behavioral activity was evaluated in the open field test. IR animals had initially higher corticosterone levels than in intact animals and HR animals as well as LR animals. IR animals were characterized by greater endurance while swimming at low temperature. IR animals surpass other animals in adaptive capabilities.