EFFECT OF SOMATOSENSORY STIMULATION ON AFFECTIVE BEHAVIOR OF SEPTAL RATS

Postoperative stimulation influenced transitory changes in affective behavior (septal syndrome) following septal ablation in 60 male Wistar rats. Septally-lesioned and nonlesioned rats, handled (H), shaken (S), or nonstimulated (N) for 20 days, were rated on 5 behavior items every 5 days beginning 24 hr. after surgery for a total of 5 sessions. Lesioned Ss exhibited the septal syndrome and nonlesioned Ss did not. Significant reductions in affective behavior followed H, S, and N treatments in all Ss over 5 sessions. Handling was more effective than shaking in reducing ratings for lesioned Ss. For nonlesioned Ss handling and shaking were equivalent. Lesioned Ss had heavier adrenal glands than nonlesioned Ss 22 days after surgery. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1968 American Psychological Association.