| Abstract: | High ambient temperatures (38°C) stimulated high spontaneous levels of activity and high frequencies of behaviors normally associated with ingestion (mouthing and probing), particularly in young, 3- and 6-day-old Charles River CD rat pups (Exp I). The level of spontaneous behavior was highly correlated with body temperature and also depended on deprivation condition. Temperature played an important role in determining responses to food stimuli as well. When Ss were fed by oral infusion (Exp II) or by placing milk on the floor beneath them (Exp III), warm ambient temperatures were required for active ingestion. In Exp IV, body temperature and ambient temperature were manipulated independently to assess their relative importance for Ss' feeding behavior. Ss with a low (29°C) or normal (34°C) core temperature at the start of testing were fed in either a 24°C or a 34°C ambience. Regardless of body temperature, Ss' levels of intake, activity, mouthing, and probing were higher in a warm than in a cool ambience. Therefore, the suppressed ingestive behavior of Ss fed at cool temperatures occurred not simply because Ss became hypothermic and inactive. Perceived warmth appears to be a significant contextual cue that regulates pups' responses to food stimuli. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
