title: Behavioural and pituitary-adrenal characteristics of pigs differing by their susceptibility to the malignant hyperthermia syndrome induced by halothane anesthesia. 1. Behavioural measures.
abstract: Behavioural responses were compared in Pietrain pigs and in Large White pigs differing by their susceptibility to the malignant hyperthermia syndrome induced by halothane. Non reactive Pietran pigs (P--) displayed a higher level of locomotor activity in a new environment than either reactive Pietrain pigs (P+) or Large White pigs. Pietran pigs performed better in a latent learning proceudre (latency of approach or feeding response, after exploration of the new environment) and in a continuound P-- did not reach significance, but P+ pigs tended to be superior to P-- animals. The three groups did not differ on a measure of passive avoidance. These results suggest that Large White pigs are characterized by a lower ability to initiate active responding when confronted with aversive events. The same would be true when Pietrain positive pigs are compared with Pietrain negative pigs, although to a lesser extent.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane / Q000009:adverse effects; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D006221:Halothane