Odor-based runway performance as a function of deprivation state, squad size, and subject-rotation procedures

Abstract

The results of a two-phase experiment investigating odor-based alleyway performance of rats are reported. During both phases, two squads (n = 8) received daily double-alternation training.Each squad was composed of two subgroups (n = 4), one food deprived and one water deprived. The water-deprived animals were tested first in one squad, whereas the food-deprived animals were tested first in the second squad. During Phase 2, a daily subject-rotation procedure, under which the last subject in each of the second subgroups was rotated to the initial position in that subgroup, was implemented. Odor-based patterning was developed in Phase 1 only by the subgroup run last within each of the larger squads. Phase 2 rotation failed to disrupt patterned responding in the rotated animals. The results of this experiment support the contention that, even though specific deprivation conditions may have a bearing upon the use of odors as discriminative stimuli, such constraints are certainly not absolute. Ludvigson and Sytsma (1967) demonstrated that rats can learn a double-alternation (DA) sequence of reward (R) and nonreward (N) by running fast on R trials and slow on N trials when they are tested under odormaximizing conditions, but not under odor-minimizing conditions. Odor-maximizing conditions typically involve the administration of R and N trials such that odors unique to a particular goal event are allowed to accumulate and act as discriminative cues for subsequent subjects . Such proposed R and N odors are not allowed to accumulate under odor-minimizing conditions. At present , data in this research area (e.g., Pitt , Davis, & Brown, 1973) suggest that such odors are at least partially airborne. However, despite verification of R and N odors via single-cell recordings from mitral cells in the olfactory bulb (Voorhees & Remley, 1981) , their exact chemical structure and anatomical locus have yet to be determined.As suggested, when rats are tested under odormaximizing conditions, odors will theoretically accumulate as additional subjects are tested. This prediction was recently verified by Prytula, Davis, and Fanning (1981). The results of this study indicated that animals tested earlier in the running sequence of a larger squad displayed weaker patterned responding than did animals tested later in the sequence. Furthermore, naive subjects introduced at the end of the running-order sequence , once patterning had been established by the original squad , developed patterned responding much sooner than did naive subjects introduced into earlier positions in the running order.The authors' mailing address is: Department of Psychology, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas 66801. 155Furthermore, past research (Davis, Prytula, Harper, Tucker, Lewis, & Flood, 1974 ;Davis, Prytula, Noble, & Mollenhour, 1976) has suggested that R and N odors produced under water deprivation may differ from R and N odors produced under food deprivation . In these studies, runway-trained animals displayed patterned responding in the start and run...

Extending the generality of the odor hypothesis: Double-alternation responding in the wood rat (Neotoma floridana osagensis)

“…This is suggested because the rotation procedure resulted in different animals' being tested under the high-odor-buildup condition during these two phases. Using similar rotation procedures with albino rats tested under different deprivation states, Weaver, Davis, and Moore (1984) also reported results consistent with a commonality viewpoint.…”