Postweaning copper restriction and behavior in the Long-Evans rat

Abstract

A variety of behaviors was assessed in Long-Evans male rats placed on either a low copper diet, a margginal copper diet, or an adequate copper diet at weaning. Rats in the low copper group had slightly, but significantly, enlarged hearts and gained less weight than rats fed diets containing higher copper levels. Treatment effects were not detected in measurements of muricide, open-field activity, water intake, shock sensitivity, and shock avoidance and memory.