Characterizing sign-tracking behavior in female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

Abstract

Relapse-like behaviors have been measured in animals using the Pavlovian conditioned approach (PCA) model. During conditioning, a reward is paired with a novel, neutral cue (unconditioned stimulus; UCS). Repeated pairing of the UCS with a salient reward can elicit a conditioned response (CR). Sign tracking (STing) is a CR to the newly conditioned stimulus (CS). Subjects that show a propensity to sign-tracker (ST) show greater rates of drug-taking behaviors. The vast majority of research in sign tracking is in a male species. Few studies have measured STing in a female model, and those that have, were in a rodent model, which relies predominantly on the olfactory system. Since quail have a visual system similar to humans, and since, in humans, visual cues associated with drug-taking have been implicated as a catalyst to renewed drug-taking, further research was called for. In the current experiment, female Japanese quail, (Coturnix japonica) were conditioned to one light, which was paired with a reward (food). Results found a significant Day × Response type (STing and Goal Tracking; GTing) interaction, F(4, 128) 3.24, p = .01, partial η 2 = .09, indicating that STing and GTing were significantly different across conditioning days. Specifically, STing was significantly higher than GTing on all conditioning days, p's = .0001. We conclude that female quail show a propensity to sign track as previously demonstrated in female rodent models. The importance of understanding the influence of visual cues on relapse-predictive behavior in a visually orientated female model may provide potential treatments for problematic drug-taking behaviors. Public Health SignificanceThis study is the first to show sign-tracking behavior in a female, predominantly visual, avian species, using a model similar to rodents. Understanding visual cues' influence on relapse-predictive behavior in a visual, female model may provide potential treatments for problematic drug-taking behaviors.