title: Long-lasting effects of neonatal stimulation on the behavior of rats.
abstract: The present study aimed to analyze the effects of neonatal stimulation on species-specific behaviors (defensive reactions to a predator and social interactions) in adult male and female rats. Handling and an unpredictable sequence of aversive stimuli were applied to male and female pups from the 1st to the 10th day after delivery; behavioral inhibition, aggression, and sexual behavior were evaluated in adulthood. Results showed that either neonatal handling or aversive stimulation decreased behavioral inhibition in a novel and potentially harmful situation (open field with a predator) in both male and female rats and increased maternal aggressive behavior. Sexual behavior in both males and females decreased, which could affect reproductive capability. The results could cast doubts on the generalization of beneficial effects of neonatal stimulation on the behavior of adult rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Padoin
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Cadore
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Lucion
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D005260:Female; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012919:Social Behavior