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<p>Rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) under a variety of situations. Vocalizations of 50-kHz have been associated with social interactions such as rough and tumble play and are generally thought to reflect positive affect. Panksepp and Burgdorf, <i>Behavioural Brain Research</i>, <i>115</i>, 25-38, (<CitationRef CitationID="CR21">2000</CitationRef>) developed a laboratory procedure (<i>tickling</i>) that mimics this rough and tumble play and evokes 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in young rats. In the present study, we extended this research by examining the effect of tickling on 22 male rats of different ages (57–424 days old). Tickling consistently evoked higher rates of 50-kHz USVs in all rats compared to USVs emitted when they were touched lightly or when the experimenter’s hand was present without touching. That there was no correlation between USV production and age of the rats was unexpected. A subset of the rats (<i>n</i> = 10) was then tested in a reinforcement assessment procedure. One side of a chamber produced tickling, but not the other; the rats could freely move into either side of the apparatus. Only the youngest rats showed a preference for the tickling side of the apparatus but this preference was short-lived across sessions, decreased within sessions, and older rats consistently avoided the tickle side of the apparatus. We also found that there was no correlation between duration of time spent on the tickle side and USV production; tickling produced 50-kHz USVs whether it served as a reinforcer or a punisher. This raises doubts about the claim that these vocalizations are linked to positive affect.</p>

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Is Tickling a Reinforcer for Adult Rats?

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年2月25日

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  • Katherine Bruce,
  • Rebecca Collins,
  • Christopher Reese,
  • Tom Cariveau,
  • Mark Galizio

摘要

Rats emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) under a variety of situations. Vocalizations of 50-kHz have been associated with social interactions such as rough and tumble play and are generally thought to reflect positive affect. Panksepp and Burgdorf, Behavioural Brain Research, 115, 25-38, (2000) developed a laboratory procedure (tickling) that mimics this rough and tumble play and evokes 50-kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in young rats. In the present study, we extended this research by examining the effect of tickling on 22 male rats of different ages (57–424 days old). Tickling consistently evoked higher rates of 50-kHz USVs in all rats compared to USVs emitted when they were touched lightly or when the experimenter’s hand was present without touching. That there was no correlation between USV production and age of the rats was unexpected. A subset of the rats (n = 10) was then tested in a reinforcement assessment procedure. One side of a chamber produced tickling, but not the other; the rats could freely move into either side of the apparatus. Only the youngest rats showed a preference for the tickling side of the apparatus but this preference was short-lived across sessions, decreased within sessions, and older rats consistently avoided the tickle side of the apparatus. We also found that there was no correlation between duration of time spent on the tickle side and USV production; tickling produced 50-kHz USVs whether it served as a reinforcer or a punisher. This raises doubts about the claim that these vocalizations are linked to positive affect.