Research Article

Arousal, but not nursing, is necessary to elicit a decreased fear reaction toward humans in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) pups

  1. Péter Pongrácz,
  2. Vilmos Altbäcker*

Article first published online: 7 OCT 2003

DOI: 10.1002/dev.10132

Issue

Developmental Psychobiology

Developmental Psychobiology

Volume 43, Issue 3, pages 192–199, November 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Pongrácz, P. and Altbäcker, V. (2003), Arousal, but not nursing, is necessary to elicit a decreased fear reaction toward humans in rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) pups. Dev. Psychobiol., 43: 192–199. doi: 10.1002/dev.10132

Author Information

  1. Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, H-1117, Hungary

*Department of Ethology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/c, H-1117, Hungary.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 7 OCT 2003
  2. Article first published online: 7 OCT 2003
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 17 MAY 2003
  4. Manuscript Received: 23 JUL 2002

Funded by

  • Hungarian National Science Foundation. Grant Number: OTKA T29703

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

Get PDF (127K)

Keywords:

  • rabbit;
  • Oryctolagus cuniculus;
  • nursing;
  • anticipatory arousal;
  • early learning;
  • sensitive period

Abstract

Rabbits that are handled at the time of feeding during the first week postpartum show reduced fear of humans later in their lives as compared to unhandled controls. Effective handling has been shown to be confined to a sensitive period. Our study aimed to investigate if feeding itself (provided by a second doe, 6 hr after the standard nursing time) affects the levels of fear of humans later in life. Our results showed that (a) the prenursing state of excitement is only characteristic of the standard nursing and is not elicited by a second feeding 6 hr past the usual nursing time, repeated daily across the first week postpartum; and (b) handling linked to a second feeding 6 hr after the standard nursing does not reduce fear responses toward humans at weaning. We conclude that the aroused state, per se, is essential for the reduction of a rabbit's fear response toward humans provoked by early handling. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 43: 192–199, 2003.

Get PDF (127K)