Burgdorf Jeffrey, Kroes Roger A, Moskal Joseph R, Pfaus James G, Brudzynski Stefan M, Panksepp Jaak
Falk Center for Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University.
J Comp Psychol. 2008 Nov;122(4):357-67. doi: 10.1037/a0012889.
Rats (Rattus norvegicus) emit a variety of ultrasonic vocalizations throughout their lifespan that reflect different forms of emotional arousal and accompanying affective states. In this study, high frequency recordings of ultrasonic vocalizations were made during mating, aggression, and both conspecific and heterospecific (dubbed "tickling") rough-and-tumble play behavior. We found that frequency modulated 50-kHz calls (trills and step calls) were positively correlated with positively valenced appetitive behavior during mating, play, and aggression. These calls were also positively correlated with the reward value of these social encounters. However, constant frequency (i.e., flat) 50-kHz calls were not related to appetitive behaviors or reward. In contrast, 22-kHz calls were positively related to aversive/withdrawal behaviors during mating, play, and aggression. Finally, we found that rats self-administered playback of frequency modulated 50-kHz trill calls and avoided playback of 22-kHz calls. Playback of flat 50-kHz calls or tape hiss was neutral. These results suggest that frequency modulated 50-kHz calls index a positively valenced, appetitive, social-emotional state in rats.
大鼠（褐家鼠）在其整个生命周期中会发出各种超声波叫声，这些叫声反映了不同形式的情绪唤醒及伴随的情感状态。在本研究中，在交配、攻击以及同种和异种（称为“挠痒痒”）打闹游戏行为期间对超声波叫声进行了高频记录。我们发现，调频50千赫的叫声（颤音和阶跃叫声）在交配、玩耍和攻击期间与正性效价的欲求行为呈正相关。这些叫声也与这些社交互动的奖励价值呈正相关。然而，恒频（即平音）50千赫的叫声与欲求行为或奖励无关。相比之下，22千赫的叫声在交配、玩耍和攻击期间与厌恶/退缩行为呈正相关。最后，我们发现大鼠会自行选择播放调频50千赫的颤音叫声，并避免播放22千赫的叫声。播放平音50千赫的叫声或磁带咝咝声则无明显影响。这些结果表明，调频50千赫的叫声表明大鼠处于一种正性效价、欲求性的社会情绪状态。
