title: Differential outcomes of unilateral interferences at birth.
abstract: Behavioural modifications, including modifications of emotional reactivity, can occur following early experience such as handling (manual rubbing). Here, we investigated the effects of unilateral tactile stimulation at an early stage on emotional reactions later on. We handled newborn foals intensively on one side of their body. This early unilateral tactile experience had medium-term effects: the reactions of foals to a human approach, when they were 10 days old, differed according to the side stimulated at birth. Fewer right-handled foals accepted contact with humans, they delayed first contact longer and they evaded approaching humans sooner than did non-handled and left-handled foals. These results raise questions concerning the organization of neonatal care in animals and humans.
authors.affiliation: UMR 6552 Ethologie Animale et Humaine, CNRS-Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Boyer des Roches
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Durier
authors.forename: Marie-Annick
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Richard-Yris
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blois-Heulin
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ezzaouïa
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hausberger
authors.forename: Severine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Henry
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006234:Handling, Psychological; D006736:Horses / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D013997:Time Factors