Behavioral profiles of adult rats in a difficult food supply social situation, related to certain early behavioral features

Abstract

Behavioral profiles of male rats were defined in nine intralitter groups of six individuals at various stages of their development: (a) at pup stage in individual situations (uncomfortable positions) and social situations (removal away from the mother), and (b) at adult stage in a difficult food supply social situation (complete immersion of the food access way). The male population was split into two sets, both at pup stage (the most and the least swift and efficient of each group to overcome uncomfortable situations), and at adult stage (carriers and noncarriers of food in each group tested). Our results showed an important relation between these pup and adult behavioral profiles: the swiftest and most efficient individuals of a group at pup stage adopted more often a food carrier behavioral profile at adult stage. Assumptions about the predictive value of some behavioral features of a young rat in regard to its adult behavioral profile are discussed.