Effect of some drugs, experimental stress and estrus on unstable and fixed conditioned alimentary motor reflexes in cats. Reproduction and stress. Part V.

Reproduction of fixed conditioned alimentary motor reflexes in long-time laboratory kept cats in the course of the year is remarkably influenced by the sexual cycle. Estrus, anestrus, gestation and deliveries act upon the reflex reproduction in a similar way like deliberate application of experimental stress of various intensity. The study of the antistress efficacy of drugs modifying psychological functions and mental states in the method of reproduction of fixed alimentary motor reflexes under stress must specify the actual effect of experimental stress. Experimental sensory stress represented by intermittent sound of 98 dB and intermittent light (0.6 joules) acting with simultaneous frequency of 6 Hz was found to generally impair reflex reproduction over the whole period of twelve months. Correct response latencies were significantly prolonged and incorrect motor reactions significantly increased. If reflex reproduction was impaired due to the sexual cycle, simultaneous sensory stress still aggravates the impairment. The definition of the actual efficacy of experimental stressing thus necessarily requires regular control experiments in the course of the year with reproduction influenced neither by stress nor drugs at least at forthightly intervals.