Comparison of the Rate of Habituation of the Flexor Reflex between Both Hind Limbs tested sequentially in the Rat

Abstract

WE have developed a technique for measuring the electromyographic discharge and isometric tension in the biceps femoris muscle of the conscious rat¹, which has enabled measurements of latent period, duration of electromyographic discharge and tension to be made during habituation of the flexor reflex in response to repeated uniform stimuli applied to the web space of the ipsilateral hind limb. Establishment of habituation of the reflex has been assessed from: (a) the number of stimuli required before the animal ceased to respond to the standard stimulus; (b) the progressive increase in latency of the reflex response; (c) the progressive reduction in total duration of electromyographic discharge; and (d) the decrease in tension developed. Habituation of the flexor reflex has been demonstrated with this technique¹ in both intact rats and rats tested 4 days after spinal transection.