Figure 3.

The effect of shortened daily photoperiod on elevated plus maze (EPM) parameters. The EPM consists of two open and two closed arms (50 × 10 cm) enclosed by 30-cm-high walls that are joined by a central platform. Rats were placed on the central platform with head oriented towards the closed arm and were allowed to explore the maze for 5 min. The parameters analysed in this test were: (A) time spent in the open arms, (B) number of open-arm entries, (C) time spent in the closed arms, (D) number of closed-arm entries. Anxiety-like behaviour is associated with a reduced time spent in the open arms, increased time spent in the closed arms and a reduced number of total transitions with an increased number of closed-arm entries. The significance of the difference was estimated by a Kruskall–Wallis test with Dunnett’s post hoc test (* p < 0.05 vs. C_12/12, # p < 0.05 vs. DM_12/12 group). ●∎▲▼ represent individual values in the C_12/12, DM_12/12, C_6/18 and DM_6/18 groups, respectively. For additional information, see Figure 2.