Effects of immobility stress and food restriction on stereotypies in low and high stereotyping female ranch mink
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1991 |
Authors: |
Mogens Bildsøe, Knud Erik Heller, Leif Lau Jeppesen |
Publication/Journal: |
Behavioural Processes |
Keywords: |
cortisol, food restriction, mink, stereotypy, stress |
Abstract:
Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of repeated immobilisations
and food restriction on normal activity and stereotypies in low and high stereotyping
female ranch mink. Repeated immobilisations had immediate inhibitory effects on normal
activity and stereotypies in both groups, whereas food restriction had the opposite
immediate effects. Subsequent to both immobilisations and food restriction, stereotypies
were increased, whereas normal activities returned to pre-experimental levels. Repeated
immobilisations were followed by increases in cortisol levels in both low and high
stereotyping females. High stereotyping females had lower baseline cortisol levels than low
stereotypers but tended to show higher cortisol responses to immobilisations. These results
indicate that stressful experiences may affect stereotypies, but that the direction of the
changes depends on type of stressor as well as the duration of exposure to the stressor. It is
moreover suggested that stereotypies can be emancipated.