The effects of handling in infancy on behavioral states in the rabbit

Abstract

Experimental rabbits were handled for the first 20 days of life while controls were not disturbed. At 25 and 30 days of age, each animal was observed alone for one hr and behavioral states were recorded. They were given the open-field test on Days 31–34. Handling significantly affected the organization of behavioral states and open-field performance. At 25 days handled animals spent a larger percent of sleep time in Active Sleep, and they had a greater percent of REMs than did controls. Experimental rabbits had more Active Waking and less Quiet Waking than controls at 30 days; the mean duration of time spent in Active Waking was greater than that of controls at 30 days, while the mean duration of time spent in Quiet Waking was less than controls.