Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology

, Volume 45, Issue 6, pp 648–657 | Cite as

Features of Conditioned Reflex Fear in Active and Passive Rabbits

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The individual typological features of conditioned reflex fear were studied in groups of active and passive rabbits selected on the basis of analysis of their behavior in the open field and dark-light boxes by developing a classical conditioned reflex using a combination of a light (4 sec) and electrocutaneous stimulation of the hindpaws (10 Hz, 0.5 sec). Changes in respiratory and heart rates in the animals in response to stimulus combinations during training were analyzed. Conditioned defensive responses to light (freezing) were associated with reductions in respiratory and heart rates occurring in response to the light, i.e., before electrocutaneous stimulation. Active rabbits contrasted with passive rabbits in showing greater motor reactions, higher heart rates, delayed onset of conditioned reflex respiratory slowing to a later stage of training, and the absence of persistent bradycardia. Thus, judging from the these few autonomic measures, active animals experienced lower levels of fear than passive animals. The active and passive behavioral strategies persisted after training.

Keywords

conditioned reflex rear active and passive behavioral strategies cardiogram pneumogram 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and NeurophysiologyRussian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia

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