Effects of gentling on open-field behaviour of Wistar rats in fear-evoking test situation.

The effect of individual gentling on open-field behaviour of adult male Wistar rats was studied. Dark open-field evoked prey-like behaviour both in the gentled and in the nonhandled rats. Escape activity dominated in both groups although some habituation as a function of trials occurred. The effects of gentling were mainly seen in the quality of the fear-reaction as a result of reduced fear of human contact. Parameters that differentiated the 2 groups were middle field ambulation, middle field rearing and passive motionlessness.