The Role of Sex and Sex Steroids in the Novel Object Recognition Task

Abstract

The novel object recognition task is a behavioural assay of memory that relies on rodents’ inherent predilection for novelty. The one-trial task avoids the use of reinforcing or aversive stimuli typically used in other cognitive tests, resulting in a relatively low-stress task with reduced influence of motivational and affective effects. As such factors are influenced by sex and sex hormones; this experimental paradigm has a number of advantages specific to the challenges associated with behavioural neuroendocrine research. The present chapter reviews literature investigating the effects of sex and sex steroids, namely the ovarian hormones, on the novel object recognition task. While the dat..