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PubMed1997

Inhibition of grooming by pilocarpine differs in high- and low-yawning sublines of Sprague-Dawley rats.

A comparative study of the effect of pilocarpine, a muscarinic receptor agonist, on grooming, scored during 45 min via a time-sampling procedure, was carried out on two sublines of male rats selectively bred for high-(HY) and low-yawning (LY) frequency. In one condition, we introduced rats in a novel cage and observed them immediately after receiving an I.P. injection of pilocarpine (0.5-3.75 mg/Kg) or an equivalent volume of saline. Besides grooming, the occurrence of yawns was continuously recorded. In the other condition, we immersed rats in water for 60 s, then they received an I.P. injection of pilocarpine (3.75 mg/Kg) or an equivalent volume of saline and we placed them in an open field, in which we recorded the number of crossed squares. Grooming scores were significantly higher in the condition after water immersion than in the novel situation; in both conditions HY had a grooming response higher than that of LY rats. Pilocarpine produced a dose-dependent inhibition of novelty-induced grooming in HY rats, whereas LY grooming was reduced only with the highest dose. In contrast, yawning increased in a dose-dependent manner with HY rats curve over that of LY animals, except for the highest dose. Pilocarpine inhibited water immersion-induced grooming in both sublines of rats, but it did not reduce grooming as much as it did in the novel condition. Pilocarpine affected distinctly each of the components of grooming, without inhibiting animals locomotor activity. The results indicate that HY rats also have a higher number of grooms than LY rats, and because grooming and yawning can appear after stressful circumstances, HY rats may be used to study the role that both behaviors could have in counteracting the effects of stress. Similarly, HY animals might be utilized to study the underlying neurochemical mechanisms of grooming. This study also indicates that the cholinergic systems exert an inhibitory influence on grooming which contrasts with the excitatory effect on yawning.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CRF-induced excessive grooming behavior in rats and mice.

We studied the grooming response to lateral ventricle injection of CRF in both rats and mice under similar conditions. One microgram of CRF ICV induced a pronounced increase (3- to 4-fold) in the frequency of self-grooming in rats, but only a much smaller (less than 20%) increase in mice. The minimum effective dose of CRF in rats was 300 ng. Although ACTH1-24 induced less grooming in mice than in rats, the difference in potency did not appear to be sufficient to explain the differences between the effectiveness of CRF in the two species. Whereas ACTH increased all types of grooming scored. CRF increased all forms of grooming except flank scratching with the hind limb. The major effect of CRF was to increase the number of episodes of grooming, whereas ACTH1-24 tended to prolong the length of individual episodes. The excessive grooming induced by ICV CRF was not affected by prior treatment with dexamethasone, suggesting that the increased grooming was not due to secondary release of ACTH from the pituitary. Nevertheless, ICV CRF might induce grooming by releasing MSH/ACTH from cerebral storage sites. CRF-induced grooming, like ACTH-induced grooming, was inhibited by naloxone pretreatment. Despite the small qualitative differences, CRF-induced grooming could be due to secondary release of ACTH.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Abnormal behavioral organization of grooming in mice lacking the vitamin D receptor gene.

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with several important functions in the nervous system. Numerous human and animal data link alterations in the vitamin D system to various behavioral disorders. Grooming is an important element of rodent behavior with a general pattern of cephalocaudal progression (paw licking - nose/face wash - body wash - tail/genitals wash). Here we studied whether genetic ablation of vitamin D nuclear receptors (VDR) in mice may be associated with altered behavioral sequencing of grooming. Overall, VDR null mutant mice showed abnormal grooming, including a higher percentage of "incorrect" transitions and longer duration of "incorrect" grooming (contrary to the cephalocaudal progression); a higher percentage of interrupted grooming bouts; and the atypical regional distribution of grooming (more leg grooming, less body and tail/genitals grooming), compared to their wild-type controls. Grooming of heterozygous mice was similar to the wild-type group, indicating that abnormal grooming patterning is inherited as a recessive. In contrast, behavioral sequencing of another complex behavior (mating with a female) was unaltered in all three genotypes, suggesting grooming-specific abnormal sequencing in these mutant mice. Our results suggest that a neurosteroid vitamin D and VDR may play an important role in controlling sequencing of grooming in mice, and further confirm the important role of the vitamin D system and VDR in the regulation of behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed2007

Long-term grooming partnerships between unrelated adult females in a free-ranging group of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata).

In order to examine the presence of long-term grooming relationships among unrelated females, grooming interactions of 18 adult females (range: 16-32 years) in a free-ranging group of Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata) were recorded in 2003 and compared with those recorded 10 years earlier, i.e., in 1993. In 2003, on average, each female who had survived the 10 years had grooming interactions with 2.2 surviving old partners with whom she was recorded to have grooming interactions in 1993, 3.5 females related to the surviving old partners, and 4.5 unrelated females who were other than the surviving old partners or their related females. By calculating the ratio of actual grooming partners to available females in 2003, we concluded that females had a greater possibility of selecting surviving old partners as their grooming partners than other unrelated partners, and that they also had a greater possibility of selecting females related to surviving old partners than females other than surviving old partners and their related females. These findings indicate that with regard to grooming relationships, female Japanese monkeys are basically conservative, showing a tendency to concentrate their grooming interactions on closely related females and certain familiar unrelated females such as surviving old partners and some females closely related to these partners. At the same time, however, female Japanese monkeys also showed a progressive trait for grooming since they formed grooming relationships with new partners. The necessity of long-term psychological bonding for long-term grooming relationships between unrelated females is discussed in this work.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2001

Evidence that orexin-A-evoked grooming in the rat is mediated by orexin-1 (OX1) receptors, with downstream 5-HT2C receptor involvement.

RATIONALE: Orexins A and B have recently been discovered and shown to be derived from preproorexin, primarily expressed in the rat hypothalamus. Orexin-A has been ascribed a number of in vivo functions in the rat after intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration, including hyperphagia, neuroendocrine modulation and, most recently, evidence for a behavioural response characterised by an increase in grooming. OBJECTIVES: Here, we have investigated the orexin-receptor subtypes involved in the grooming response to orexin-A (3 microg, ICV) in the rat. METHODS: Male rats, habituated to clear Perspex behavioural observation boxes, were pretreated with antagonists with mixed selectivity for OX1, OX2, 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptor subtypes prior to the administration of orexin-A and the intense grooming response elicited by this peptide assessed. RESULTS: Pretreatment of rats with a mixed OX1/5-HT2B/2C receptor antagonist 1-(4-methylsulfanylphenyl)-3-quinolin-4-ylurea (SB-284422), revealed a significant, but incomplete, blockade of orexin-A-induced grooming. Despite the low potency of orexin-A at 5-HT2B and 5-HT2C receptors in vitro (pKi<5), studies were undertaken to determine whether downstream 5-HT2B or 5-HT2C receptors mediate in the grooming-elicited by orexin-A. Whilst the selective 5-HT2B receptor antagonist, SB-215505 (3 mg/kg, PO, 5-HT2B, pKi=8.58; OX1, pKB < 5.15) failed to effect orexin-A-induced grooming, the selective 5-HT2C receptor antagonist, SB-242084 (1 mg/kg, IP, 5-HT2C, pKi = 8.95; OX1, pKB < 5.1) potently antagonised the grooming response to this peptide. This suggested that the partial blockade of orexin-A-induced grooming obtained with SB-284422 might be attributable to its 5-HT2C and/or OX1 receptor blocking activity. However, complete blockade of orexin-A-induced grooming by the subsequently identified selective OX1 receptor antagonist 1-(2-methylbenzoxazol-6-yl)-3-[1,5]naphthyridin-4-yl urea hydrochloride, SB-334867-A (OX1, pKB = 7.4; OX2, pKB = 5.7), devoid of appreciable affinity for either 5-HT2B (pKi < 5.3) or 5-HT2C (pKi < 5.4) receptors, provides the first definitive evidence that a central behavioural effect of orexin-A (grooming) is mediated by OX1 receptors. CONCLUSIONS: This data suggests that orexin-A indirectly activates 5-HT2C receptors downstream from OX1 receptors to elicit grooming in the rat. The use of SB-334867-A in vivo will enable the role of OX,1 receptors within the rat central nervous system to be further characterised.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Affiliation promotes the transmission of a social custom: handclasp grooming among captive chimpanzees.

Handclasp grooming is a unique social custom, known to occur regularly among some, but not all populations of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). As with other cultural behaviors, it is assumed that this distinctive grooming posture is learned socially by one individual from another. However, statistical comparisons among factors thought to influence how a behavior spreads within a group have never, to our knowledge, been conducted. In the present study, the origination and spread of handclasp grooming in a group of captive chimpanzees was followed throughout more than 1,500 h of observation over a period of 12 years. We report on the frequency, bout duration, and number and demography of performers throughout the study period, and compare these findings to those reported for wild populations. We predicted that dyads with strong affiliative ties, measured by time spent in proximity to and grooming one another, were likely to develop a handclasp grooming partnership during the study period. A quadratic assignment procedure was used to compare correlations among observed frequencies of grooming and proximity with handclasp grooming in all possible dyads within the group. As predicted, the formation of new handclasp grooming dyads was positively correlated with the rate of overall grooming and proximity within a dyad. In addition, in nearly all dyads formed, at least one individual had been previously observed to handclasp groom. We concluded that affiliation and individual experience determines the transmission of handclasp grooming among captive chimpanzees.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Dopaminergic modulation of ACTH-induced grooming.

ACTH-(1-24)-induced grooming was studied after administration of the peptide into the substantia nigra or intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.). The modulation of dopamine receptors in neostriatum (with haloperidol and apomorphine) and nucleus accumbens (with 3,4-dihydroxyphenylamino-2-imidazoline hydrochloride; DPI and ergometrine) was investigated. In the nucleus accumbens, the modulatory effects of ergometrine and DPI on ACTH-(1-24)-induced grooming were based on their affinity for dopamine receptors and not on their affinity for adrenoceptors. Intrastriatal application of dopaminergic agents inhibited i.c.v. ACTH-(1-24)-induced excessive grooming, whereas the grooming score was enhanced if ACTH-(1-24) was administered into the substantia nigra. The finding of differential effects of dopaminergic agents on ACTH-induced excessive grooming depending on the route of administration indicate that i.c.v. ACTH-induced excessive grooming is not mediated solely through the substantia nigra. The increase in grooming behavior seen after the intrastriatal administration of dopaminergic agents - when ACTH was injected into the substantia nigra - suggests the involvement of the striato-nigral GABAergic pathway. Local injections of ACTH-(1-24) into the periaqueductal gray also induced excessive grooming. Since a second injection of ACTH-(1-24) into the periaqueductal gray did not lead to a grooming response, irrespective of where the first injection of ACTH-(1-24) was given (i.c.v. into the nigra or via the periaqueductal gray) it is suggested that this structure seems to play a primary role in the induction of excessive grooming. Therefore the modulatory effects of the dopaminergic influence on ACTH-(1-24)-induced grooming may be exerted via the striato-nigro-collicular pathway.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1998

Effects of castration on grooming in goats.

In African antelope and North American cervids, breeding males during the rut engage in less oral self-grooming, and harbor a greater density of ticks, compared with conspecific females and non-breeding males. The purpose of this study was to experimentally test the proposition that down-regulation of self grooming in some male bovids occurs via the direct or indirect action of testosterone. Domestic dairy goats (Capra hircus) were used as a model. In Experiment 1, comparative observations conducted on twelve gonadally intact male goats (bucks), nine males castrated at 3 weeks of age (wethers), and twelve intact females (does) supported the prediction that the grooming rate of intact males would be depressed relative to wethers and does. Bucks oral groomed at one-third and one-fourth the rate of wethers and does, respectively, and they scratch groomed half as much as does. There was no significant difference between wethers and does in oral or scratch grooming rates. Experiment 2 involved castration of eleven bucks from Experiment 1, followed by 2 months of observation. Similar to the pattern of other testosterone-dependent behavioral changes after castration in adult males, there was a good deal of variation in the individual grooming response of males to castration, with increases in grooming taking 2 to 8 weeks to be manifested in ten of eleven goats. Overall, castrated males oral groomed about 3 x above their intact rates, supporting the prediction that castration removes testosterone-mediated suppression of grooming. This is the first example of alteration of grooming behavior in males by gonadal androgen, and the first demonstration of enhancement of any mammalian behavior by removal of gonadal androgen.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Sensitization to horse hair, symptoms and lung function in grooms.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the rate of occupational sensitization to horse hair in grooms and whether occupational exposure to horse hair increases respiratory and allergic symptoms and affects lung function in grooms or not. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Two hundred grooms were randomly selected among 1000 grooms working in Veliefendi Hippodrome of Istanbul. One hundred and twenty-five subjects agreed to enter the study. Ninety-two workers who worked in the different parts of this hippodrome enrolled as the control group. A detailed questionnaire including respiratory and allergic symptoms was filled in, physical examination, skin prick tests and pulmonary function tests were performed. RESULTS: Sensitization to horse hair was 12.8% in grooms and 4.3% in controls. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0035). Asthma was found in 14.4% of the grooms and 5.4% of the controls, allergic rhinitis in 42.4% of the grooms and 18.4% of the controls, allergic conjunctivitis in 35.2% of the grooms and 15.2% of the controls, and allergic skin diseases in 32.8% of the grooms and 13% of the controls. The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.043, P = 0.0002, P = 0.001 and P = 0.0008, respectively). The means of FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FVC parameters were significantly lower in the groom group (P = 0.006, P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, being in the groom group and working years were found to be predictive factors for impairments of lung function (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to horse increases the sensitization to horse hair, induces asthma and allergic symptoms and also impairs lung functions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Dominance hierarchy and social grooming in female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in the Western Ghats, India.

This article reports the structure of dominance and its relationship with social grooming in wild lion-tailed macaque females. The strength of dominance hierarchy was 0.79 on a scale of 0 to 1 indicating a moderate linearity in the ranking system. Dominance scores were converted into an ordinal as well as an interval scale. Grooming scores were also converted into interval scales using standard scores. Grooming received and grooming given correlated positively and negatively respectively with dominance ranks indicating that high ranking females received more and gave less grooming. Grooming was also positively related to encounter rates for dyads of females. More grooming among adjacent ranks, and grooming being more reciprocal, occurred only in the case of dominant females. The grooming patterns, therefore, appeared to be more of despotic than egalitarian nature. While ranking macaques into different Grades of social systems ranging from despotic to egalitarian, Thierry (2004) has placed lion-tailed macaques in Grade 3 corresponding to the 'relaxed' social system. Our results indicate that the grooming and dominance relationships in this species are more despotic, and hence, the Grade for this species requires to be shifted toward 2 or 1.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Excessive grooming induced by somatostatin or its analog SMS 201-995.

Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of somatostatin or SMS 201-995 induces excessive grooming behavior in rats. The grooming inducing effect of somatostatin is rather weak, as doses of 300 ng or less did not result in increased total grooming scores. In contrast a dose of 10 ng SMS 201-995 already significantly increased the total grooming scores. However, doses of 100 ng and more did not further increase the total grooming scores reached with a 50 ng dose of this peptide. Systemic administration of SMS 201-995 in doses up to 900 micrograms did not result in excessive grooming behavior. The patterns of excessive grooming induced by i.c.v. SMS 201-995 and somatostatin were characterized by a predominant display of scratching. Since peptide-induced scratching is mainly due to activation of opiate receptor systems it is suggested that opiate receptors are involved in the behavioral response to SMS 201-995 and somatostatin administration. This suggestion is further supported by the suppressive effect of naloxone on excessive grooming induced by these peptides. Haloperidol and neurotensin also suppress the excessive grooming induced by somatostatin but not that induced by SMS 201-995. Finally, tolerance developed to the grooming-inducing effect of SMS 201-995 and somatostatin. In addition there was cross tolerance between somatostatin and SMS 201-995.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Neurohypophyseal hormones and excessive grooming behaviour.

The pattern of excessive grooming displayed by rats treated with vasopressin and oxytocin was investigated by calculating the frequencies and contribution of the behavioural elements head washing, body grooming, anogenital grooming, paw licking and scratching. In addition, the suppressive effect on peptide-induced grooming of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390, of neurotensin and of the opiate receptor antagonists naloxone and naloxone-methobromide was studied. The pattern of excessive grooming induced by vasopressin and by oxytocin was characterized by the contribution of most behavioural elements to the total grooming scores. Oxytocin-induced excessive grooming was characterized by a marked increase in the frequency of anogenital grooming. SCH 23390, neurotensin and naloxone, but not naloxone-methobromide, suppressed excessive grooming induced by vasopressin and oxytocin. It is suggested that dopamine D1 receptors as well as opiate receptors located within the blood-brain barrier are involved in the excessive grooming induced by neurhypophyseal hormones.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Neuronal substrate of electrically induced grooming in the PVH of the rat: involvement of oxytocinergic systems?

Electrical stimulation of the paraventricular (PVH) and adjacent hypothalamic area evokes self-grooming behaviour. Current intensity thresholds for grooming can be obtained depending on the exact localization of the electrode site. Sites localized at greater distance of the center of the grooming area evoke grooming at greater latencies and higher current intensity, or no grooming at all. Results are compared with injections of neuroactive substances into the PVH from previous studies, which showed a similar site specificity for grooming. We found similarity in the distribution of electrode sites in the paraventricular and anterior hypothalamic areas at which grooming is induced, and hypothalamic immunoreactive oxytocinergic neurons and fibres. In addition, we reported earlier that oxytocin infusions into the PVH in resting animals induce grooming, in contrast to other grooming-related peptides, such as alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. We hypothesize that electrical stimulation may induce grooming by activation of oxytocinergic systems originating from the PVH.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Is oxytocin-induced grooming mediated by uterine-like receptors?

In this study, we examined whether the mechanisms mediating the induction of grooming behavior by oxytocin (OT) is similar to mechanisms mediating the effects of OT on uterine contractility. Sprague-Dawley strain female rats were injected intracerebroventricularly (ICV) with OT or OT analogues and then were observed for grooming behaviors 25 minutes later for 30 minutes. The uterotonic analogue deamino-OT injected ICV at equimolar doses to 1 microgram OT significantly elevated grooming scores although less than did OT. Other agonist analogues were not effective in inducing an increase in grooming behavior. The simultaneous ICV injection of the analogue [Pen1, Phe2, Thr4, delta 3, 4Pro7, Orn8]-OT, which blocked the effects of OT on uterine contractility, also blocked the effect of OT on grooming behavior. Injection of the same dose of this antagonist analogue did not effect the increased grooming behavior after AVP injection. Pretreatment with 5 mg/kg of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin significantly inhibited OT-induced grooming. We have concluded from these data that the mechanism underlying the effect of OT on grooming is similar to its effects on uterine contractility in some respects. However, observations that the OT antagonist analogue blocked OT- but not AVP-induced grooming may suggest that more than one receptor or mechanism exists by which nonapeptides initiate excessive grooming.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

A comparison of grooming behavior potencies of neurohypophyseal nonapeptides.

We have previously demonstrated that intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of oxytocin (OXY) enhanced grooming behaviors in male and female rats at a 1 microgram dose. In the present study female rats were injected ICV with 1 microgram OXY or equimolar doses of other peptides. At this dose arginine-vasopressin (AVP), arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and lysine-vasopressin (LVP), as well as alpha-MSH, were as effective as OXY in increasing grooming behavior. At equimolar doses, ACTH1-10, tocinoic acid (the ring structure of OXY) and Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (the tail structure of OXY) had no significant effect on grooming behavior. The potency of AVP and AVT was determined across a 0.05-5 microgram dose range. Grooming scores increased in an apparent linear manner across a similar OXY dose range. Both AVP and AVT, however, manifested an inverted U grooming response curve. Maximum grooming scores resulted from a 0.1 microgram dose of AVT or a 0.5 microgram AVP dose. Analyses of the aspects of grooming separately found that nonapeptides OXY, AVP and AVT all elevated body grooming, washing, and scratching. Because AVT and AVP administration resulted in grooming scores significantly higher than OXY at lower doses, we concluded that the CNS is more sensitive to the effects of AVT and AVP on grooming behavior than OXY.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Some characteristics of TRH-induced grooming behavior in rats.

Intracerebroventricular administration of TRH induces excessive grooming behavior that is characterized by an important contribution of the elements scratching and paw licking. As compared with other grooming inducing peptides, the pattern of TRH-induced grooming resembles that induced by beta-endorphin rather than those elicited by ACTH or bombesin. TRH-induced excessive grooming is suppressed by pretreatment with haloperidol, naloxone or neurotensin. Haloperidol suppresses TRH-induced grooming in a general way, whereas the suppressive effect of the other drugs is mainly due to a selective reduction of TRH-induced excessive scratching. Combined treatments of rats with TRH and a submaximal dose of ACTH, bombesin or beta-endorphin do not result in higher grooming scores than with single peptide treatment. Excessive grooming elicited by water immersion is not affected by TRH. It is concluded that TRH is undoubtedly an excessive grooming inducing peptide. In situations where excessive grooming is elicited by other peptides or by water immersion, TRH does not further activate the operating systems involved in the existing excessive grooming.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Contrasting grooming phenotypes in three mouse strains markedly different in anxiety and activity (129S1, BALB/c and NMRI).

129S1/SvImJ (129S1), NMRI and BALB/c mice are widely used in behavioural research, demonstrating marked strain differences in their behavioural phenotypes. Grooming is a complex and essential ritual in the rodent behavioural repertoire with a general cephalocaudal progression (forepaws-nose-face-body-legs-tail and genitals). Various stressors as well as genetic manipulations have been reported to alter mouse grooming and its patterning, underlying the importance of analysis of grooming behaviours. Although strain differences between these mice have been assessed in many studies, no comparative analyses of their grooming have been performed. Here we show strain differences in spontaneous (novelty-induced) grooming between 129S1, NMRI and BALB/c mice. Overall, 129S1 mice demonstrated lower grooming activity and impaired microstructure (more interrupted bouts and incorrect transitions contrary to the cephalocaudal rule), accompanied by lower vertical exploration. In contrast, BALB/c and NMRI mice showed high vertical activity and unimpaired grooming microstructure, also exhibiting different grooming levels (BALB/c>NMRI). Our study suggests that contrasting grooming phenotypes in these mice may not be due to the strain differences in their sensory abilities, general activity levels, brain anatomy or aggressiveness, but rather reflect a complex interplay between anxiety, motor and displacement activity in these strains (hypoactive anxious phenotype in 129S1 mice, active anxious phenotype in BALB/c and non-anxious high displacement phenotype in NMRI mice). We suggest that ethological analysis of mouse grooming, such as that reported here, may be a useful tool in neurobehavioural research.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1987

Altered grooming responses to stress in rats exposed prenatally to ethanol.

The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on grooming, locomotion, and rearing in response to stress were examined in adult rats whose mothers consumed a liquid diet containing 35% ethanol-derived calories (EDC). Offspring of both pair-fed 0% EDC mothers and ad libitum chow-fed mothers were included as controls. In Experiment 1, females groomed more than males following placement into a novel test chamber, but no differences due to prenatal treatment were observed. Ethanol-exposed animals groomed more than controls following the stress of a forced 1-min swim (Experiment 2), but when rats tested in Experiment 1 were observed again after forced swim stress (Experiment 3), no differences due to prenatal treatment or sex were observed. Experiment 4 examined the effects of pretreatment with 1 mg/kg naloxone on novelty-induced grooming and as in Experiment 1 prenatal treatment did not affect grooming responses. Females again groomed significantly more than males and naloxone reduced grooming equally for all groups. The results suggest that novelty-induced grooming is a sex-influenced behavior, with females grooming more than males, and that animals exposed prenatally to alcohol and tested as adults may have altered responses to certain stressors (i.e., forced swim) under specific conditions. The altered grooming response of alcohol-exposed rats to swim stress can be eliminated by preexposing them to novelty stress.

Animals↗