Date of Award
8-2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Psychology
Department
Psychology
Major Professor
Roberto Refinetti
Second Advisor
Christopher Harshaw
Third Advisor
Elliot Beaton
Abstract
Changes in elements in circadian rhythmicity have been observed during puberty in humans and other animals but has not yet been investigated in Mongolian gerbils, a laboratory rodent more diurnal than commonly used mice and rats. The present experiment investigated the effect of puberty on the circadian rhythmicity of daily motor activity as determined by activity on a running wheel. Neither of the two cohorts of gerbils experienced changes in the timing of the acrophase (the daily peak of activity) nor mean activity, but one cohort became significantly less diurnal following the completion of puberty. The findings here indicate that Mongolian gerbils experience a change in diurnality following the completion of puberty, without a shifting of the timing of the circadian rhythm of activity nor a change in the amount of daily motor activity.
Recommended Citation
Rees, Madeline R., "The Effect of Puberty on the Circadian Rhythm of Physical Activity in Mongolian Gerbils" (2025). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 3292.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/3292
Included in
Behavioral Neurobiology Commons, Developmental Biology Commons, Developmental Neuroscience Commons
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.