Abstract
The importance of the peripheral nervous system to ventral rubbing was investigated by inhibiting cutaneous feedback from the ventral surface. The relationship between cutaneous feedback and the presence of the gland pad was also assessed. Twenty-three adult male gerbils were randomly assigned to gland excision, sham excision, or intact groups. The animals were then assigned to two matched drug treatment groups which received injections of 2% lidocaine HCL (Xylocaine) and physiological saline on alternating trials. Gland excision had no effect on ventral rubbing, locomotor activity, or sniffing. There was a significant decrease in ventral rubbing and a significant increase in locomotor activity on Xylocaine trials; there was no significant difference in sniffing frequency. Results were interpreted as an interaction of peripheral and central mechanisms in the regulation of ventral rubbing.
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