Features of orienteering and exploratory behavior of rats in osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

The aim: to investigate the orientation-research behaviour of female rats in the dynamics of observations in the "open field" test on the model of pain in the maxillofacial region.

Material and methods. The study was conducted on 18 female Wistar rats. Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint was induced by intra-articular injection of sodium monoiodoacetate. Behavioral performance was recorded in the open-field test. Measurements were taken at baseline and 14 days after reagent administration.

Results. It was shown that female rats with pain syndrome were characterized by a decrease in the number of movements in peripheral sectors and an increase in grooming time. By the end of observations, the latent period of the first movement in the "open field" test increased in experimental animals, but decreased in control animals. During this period, the number of crossed peripheral sectors of the plant in rats with induced pain syndrome was lower than the control values. 2 weeks after the injection of sodium monoiodacetate into the temporomandibular joint, the number of examined objects in the group with osteoarthritis was greater compared to intact individuals.

Conclusion. Experimental osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint in female rats leads to a pronounced inhibition of orienteering and exploratory behavior during open-field testing.