ACTH-induced excessive grooming in the rat: the influence of environmental and motivational factors

J. Jolles, J. Rompa-Barendregt, W.H. Gispen

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Intraventricularly administered ACTHt1–24 in rats initiated excessive grooming followed by stretching and yawning syndrome. The present study provides evidence that novelty is not an essential prerequisite for its expression and that a variety of environmental variables is not able to influence the peptide-induced behavior. Only very strong motivational variables as severe hunger/thirst and anxiety are able to modulate the ACTH-initiated excessive grooming: This response is significantly depressed in water-deprived rats bar pressing for water in a Skinner box, as well as in rats receiving unavoidable electric foot shock. The results are indicative of the strength of the ACTH-initiated motivation to groom, and it is suggested that excessive grooming is a secondary response serving to dearouse the organism after activation by ACTH.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)60-72
    Number of pages13
    JournalHormones and Behavior
    Volume12
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1979

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