Isolation during the play period in infancy decreases adult social interactions in rats

The effects of 1 or 2 weeks of social isolation immediately after weaning on social activity in adulthood were investigated in rats. In addition, it was studied whether these effects were influenced by social experiences of the cagemate when rehoused after the isolation period. Isolation during week...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavioural brain research 1999-04, Vol.100 (1), p.91-97
Main Authors: Hol, T., Van den Berg, C.L., Van Ree, J.M., Spruijt, B.M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age Factors
Animal ethology
Animals
Automated social interaction test
Biological and medical sciences
Development of social behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Juvenile isolation
Male
Mammalia
Play and Playthings
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychosocial Deprivation
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Social Behavior
Social Isolation
Social play behavior
Social responsiveness
Vertebrata
Weaning
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Summary:The effects of 1 or 2 weeks of social isolation immediately after weaning on social activity in adulthood were investigated in rats. In addition, it was studied whether these effects were influenced by social experiences of the cagemate when rehoused after the isolation period. Isolation during weeks 4 and 5 of age caused a reduction of social activity as compared to non-isolated controls. Previous social experiences of the cagemate (isolated or non-isolated) did not affect this decreased social activity. Isolation during week 4 of age resulted in similar effects, but the reduced social activity was not present when the rats were rehoused with non-isolated rats. Isolation during week 5 of age did not influence social activity patterns in adulthood.These findings support the idea of a sensitive period in infancy for subsequent social behavior in rats. It is suggested that especially deprivation of acquiring play behavior underlies the social disturbances in adulthood.
ISSN:0166-4328
1872-7549
DOI:10.1016/S0166-4328(98)00116-8