Long-term effects of sodium pentobarbital anesthesia on novelty-induced behaviors

Abstract

Two experiments were performed to evaluate the long-term effects of a single anesthetic dose of sodium pentobarbital on novelty-induced behaviors. In Experiment 1, when compared with controls 1 week after injection, pentobarbital-treated rats showed faster step-down latencies in a novelty box and an enhanced plasma corticosterone response to this novel environment. In Experiment 2, when exposed to a novel open field, pentobarbital treated animals showed significantly less ambulation and rearing than did control animals. As in the previous experiment, initial latency to move was significantly faster. Previous findings have demonstrated long-term effects of pentobarbital anesthesia on neurochemical and behavioral indices. The present results reemphasize that the consequences of anesthesia may be more prolonged than previously presumed.