Light dark box: They only cite Patisaul et al., 2009 for methods.Note that Patisaul 2009 also cite several other documents. However, methods are acceptable as defined (+ for methods). Overall rating = +

All females tested were in estrous cycle. Tests were conducted several weeks apart making stress from any previous test having minimal impact. All behavior was video recorded and scored by a blind observer using Stopwatch, which appears to be software (++ for blinding). Although it was not reported if the person conducting the test was blind to treatment, this likely has minimal impact compared to the observations being made blind.

Gene expression: brains were removed and flash frozen. They were shipped to Dr. Gore at the University of Texas at Austin for further analysis. Details of the analysis were provided in supplemental information. Methods are standard (++ for methods). It was not reported that the samples were sent coded or that they were conducted blind to treatment, but it appears that they used PT-PCR, which is considered an automated analysis (+ for blinding). Overall rating = +.

Patisaul et al. 2012

Risk of bias

HAWC