SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1980
STP27429S

Use of an Unsignalled Avoidance Technique to Evaluate the Effects of the Herbicide 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid on Goldfish

Source

This study investigated the use of an unsignalled continuous avoidance technique to evaluate the subacute effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D amine) on conditioned avoidance learning in goldfish. Goldfish were exposed to 20 ppm of 2,4-D for either 24 h or 2 weeks at different times during conditioning. The results indicate no significant differences between the controls and the fish exposed for 24 h on the ninth day of conditioning. However, fish treated for 24 h on the first day of conditioning exhibited differences in the magnitude of avoidance responding. In addition, fish exposed for 2 weeks showed significant differences in the pattern, rate of acquisition, and maintenance of the avoidance baseline. Behavioral differences also persisted during a postexposure period in the fish exposed for 2 weeks. This study illustrates the sensitivity of the unsignalled avoidance technique in evaluating conditioned avoidance behavior of fish.

Author Information

Rand, GM
Corporate Health, Hooker Chemical Co., Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Barthalmus, GT
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C.
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Details
Developed by Committee: E35
Pages: 341–353
DOI: 10.1520/STP27429S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4775-1
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0280-4