Effects of gentling on open-field behaviour of Wistar rats in fear-evoking test situation.
The effect of individual gentling on open-field behaviour of adult male Wistar rats was studied. Dark open-field evoked prey-like behaviour both in the gentled and in the nonhandled rats. Escape activity dominated in both groups although some habituation as a function of trials occurred. The effects of gentling were mainly seen in the quality of the fear-reaction as a result of reduced fear of human contact. Parameters that differentiated the 2 groups were middle field ambulation, middle field rearing and passive motionlessness.
Hirsjärvi
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P
University of Kuopio, Department of Applied Zoology, Finland.
Väliaho
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T
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000523:psychology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D003672:Defecation; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D008124:Locomotion / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar / Q000523:psychology*; D014110:Touch