Four non-licking guinea pigs were reinforced with water for successive approximations to licking an operandum feeder. Once all subjects had obtained their total liquid intake for a three-week period by licking, an optimum deprivation schedule was determined. Fixed ratio and variable interval schedules were found to affect licking behavior of the guinea pigs being slightly lower than that of the rat. Precise control over the onset and offset of licking was demonstrated through discrimination training.

We investigated licking and grooming (LG) levels received by each pup from their dams and the locomotor activity, anxiety-like behaviors, and stress reactivity in adult female offspring. We also investigated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene expression and its DNA methylation status in the hippocampus, comparing pups between and with-in litters. Rats that receive more LG than their siblings showed less anxiety-like behaviors and increased locomotor activity, regardless of their litter type. Higher licked pups also showed increased expression of the GR gene. Gene expression levels of the GR 17 splice variant were not significantly different as a function of dam LG or LG received, whereas DNA methylation levels at two CpG sites within GR17 promoter were significantly higher in high LG pups than low LG pups. Our results indicate that naturally occurring intra- and inter-litter differences in maternal LG have a lasting effect on the phenotypic outcomes of adult female offspring.

We investigated licking and grooming (LG) levels received by each pup from their dams and the locomotor activity, anxiety-like behaviors, and stress reactivity in adult female offspring. We also investigated glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene expression and its DNA methylation status in the hippocampus, comparing pups between and with-in litters. Rats that receive more LG than their siblings showed less anxiety-like behaviors and increased locomotor activity, regardless of their litter type. Higher licked pups also showed increased expression of the GR gene. Gene expression levels of the GR 17 splice variant were not significantly different as a function of dam LG or LG received, whereas DNA methylation levels at two CpG sites within GR17 promoter were significantly higher in high LG pups than low LG pups. Our results indicate that naturally occurring intra- and inter-litter differences in maternal LG have a lasting effect on the phenotypic outcomes of adult female offspring.

This study investigates the effectiveness of response preclusion on stereotypic behavior (climbing and licking) and on play for a child with autism. Data were collected on stereotypic responses, play behavior, and the types of play materials the participant contacted. Implementation of response preclusion was followed by both a decrease in stereotypic behavior as well as an increase in play behavior. Play behavior did not return to baseline levels of responding during reversals to baseline, and stereotypic behavior decreased across reversals. These results suggest the current antecedent manipulation not only reduces stereotypic behavior, but also can establish an environment that is more conducive to learning new, desired behavior.

No description available.

L’objectif de cette étude était de démontrer que le léchage excessif de surface (LES) chez le chien représente un signe clinique d’un trouble digestif sous-jacent plutôt qu’un trouble obsessionnel compulsif. Vingt chiens présentés pour LES (groupe L) ont été divisés en 2 sous-groupes de 10 chiens chacun : L0, sans, et LD, avec des signes cliniques digestifs concomitants. Dix chiens en santé ont été assignés à un groupe contrôle (groupe C). Une évaluation comportementale complète, un examen physique et neurologique ont été réalisés avant un bilan diagnostic gastro-intestinal (GI) complet (hématologie, biochimie, analyse urinaire, mesure des acides biliaires pré et post-prandiaux et de l’immunoréactivité spécifique de la lipase pancréatique canine, flottaison fécale au sulfate de zinc, culture de selles, échographie abdominale et endoscopie GI haute avec prise de biopsies). En fonction des résultats, un interniste recommandait un traitement approprié. Les chiens étaient suivis pendant 90 jours durant lesquels le comportement de léchage était enregistré. Des troubles GI ont été identifiés chez 14/20 chiens du groupe L. Ces troubles GI sous-jacents incluaient une infiltration éosinophilique du tractus GI, une infiltration lymphoplasmocytaire du tractus GI, un retard de vidange gastrique, un syndrome du côlon irritable, une pancréatite chronique, un corps étranger gastrique et une giardiose. Une amélioration >50% en fréquence ou en durée par rapport au comportement de léchage initial a été observée chez une majorité de chiens (56%). La moitié des chiens ont complètement cessé le LES. En dehors du LES, il n’y avait pas de différence significative de comportement (p.ex. anxiété), entre les chiens L et les chiens C. Les troubles GI doivent être considérés dans le diagnostic différentiel du LES chez le chien. / The objective of this study was to characterize excessive licking of surfaces (ELS) in dogs and demonstrate that it can be a sign of underlying gastrointestinal (GI) pathology rather than an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Twenty dogs presented with ELS (L group) were divided in 2 subgroups of 10 dogs each: L0 without and LD with concomitant digestive signs. Ten healthy dogs were assigned to a control group (C group). Behavioral, physical and neurological examinations were performed prior to a complete work-up of the GI system (CBC, serum chemistry panel, urinalysis, assessment of total serum bile acids and canine specific pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, fecal flotation by zinc sulfate, fecal culture, abdominal ultrasonography and upper GI endoscopy with biopsies). Based on results, appropriate treatment was recommended. Dogs were monitored subsequently for 90 days during which the licking behavior was recorded. Gastrointestinal disorders were identified in14/20 L dogs. Underlying GI disorders included eosinophilic infiltration of the GI tract, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the GI tract, delayed gastric emptying, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, gastric foreign body and giardiasis. Significant improvement (>50%) in frequency or duration of the basal ELS behavior was observed in the majority of dogs (56%). Resolution of ELS occurred in half of the L dogs. Except for ELS, there was no significant difference in the behavior (e.g. anxiety) of L dogs and C dogs. GI disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ELS in dogs

本研究操弄受試的食物剝奪程度以及鋰鹽（LiCl）去價值程序，觀察此兩種實驗操弄對於大白鼠舔舐行為的影響，以探討飢餓驅力調節完結行為的機制。實驗一連續觀察8天大白鼠舔舐15%蔗糖液的表現，結果顯示初期兩天剝奪受試和自由吃食受試的舔舐表現並沒有顯著差異，第三天起剝奪組才顯著高於自由吃食組。實驗二待大白鼠習於食物剝奪狀態下舔舐15%蔗糖液之後，進行僅舔舐空管的消除情境測試。實驗結果顯示將剝奪狀態改為自由吃食，不論有無接受誘因學習都不能降低受試舔舐空管的表現。實驗三則待大白鼠習於食物剝奪狀態下舔舐25%蔗糖液之後，接受空管測試（實驗三A、B、C）與舔水消除情境測試（實驗三B、C）。實驗三結果如同實驗二，將剝奪狀態改為自由吃食，不論有無接受誘因學習都不能降低受試舔舐空管或舔水的表現。實驗四使用柳橙香料配加蔗糖液（20%）進行舔舐訓練，以僅含柳橙香料水進行消除情境測試。實驗結果顯示受試不論是由剝奪狀態轉為自由吃食，或由自由吃食轉為剝奪，都顯示出當驅力高舔舐表現高或驅力低表現低的現象。實驗五進行鋰鹽去價值實驗，大白鼠先擁有舔飲柳橙香料糖精液（實驗五A）或草莓香料食鹽水（實驗五B）的經驗後，再進行鋰鹽去價值程序。實驗結果顯示大白鼠唯有舔舐香料糖精液或香料食鹽水後接受鋰鹽注射才能降低其舔舐香料水的表現；糖精－鋰鹽配對、糖精－鋰鹽配對後再舔飲一次糖精液，以及香料水－鋰鹽配對都無法降低受試舔飲香料水的表現。糖精或食鹽水只要和鋰鹽配對過，便能產生味覺嫌惡。本研究結論如下：（1）飢餓驅力調節舔舐行為的能力只顯現在舔飲蔗糖液以及舔舐柳橙香料水的消除情境測試中；（2）香料與糖精或香料與食鹽必須同時呈現與鋰鹽配對才能降低香料引發舔舐行為的能力。 / The effects of food deprivation and lithium chloride (LiCl)-induced devaluation on licking behavior were studied for the regulatory mechanism of hunger drive on licking behavior. The first experiment for measuring the licking of 15% sucrose solution for 8 days and found that deprived subjects did not lick more than non-deprived ones until the third day. In the second experiment, the rats trained to lick 15% sucrose in a food-deprivation state were shifted to a non-deprivation state and tested under extinction procedure by using the empty tube. This shift in deprivation did not suppress licking in empty tube test for subjects with or without incentive learning experiences. In the third experiment, the rats trained to lick 25% sucrose in a food-deprivation state were shifted to a non-deprivation state and tested in empty tube (Exp. 3A, B, C) or water-licking test (Exp. 3B, C) conditions. Independent of incentive learning, the shift in deprivation did not suppress licking in these two kinds of extinction conditions although the concentration of sucrose was increased. In the fourth experiment, rats were trained to lick 20% sucrose mixed with orange flavor and tested in orange flavor water-licking test condition. Deprived rats licked more than non-deprived ones in the test condition whether they were trained under deprivation or non-deprivation. In the fifth experiment, rats were trained to lick orange flavor saccharin solution (Exp. 5A) or strawberry flavor sodium chloride (NaCl) solution (Exp. 5B) and then tested by the LiCl devaluation procedure. Flavored saccharin or flavored NaCl paired with LiCl suppressed rats to lick flavored water. But none of saccharin paired with LiCl, incentive learning after saccharin devaluation, and flavored water paired with LiCl had any significant effect. Saccharin or NaCl paired with LiCl could induce taste aversion. In conclusion, hunger drive modulating licking behavior was only found in licking sucrose or the flavored water-licking test condition. Further, only flavored saccharin or flavored NaCl solutions paired with LiCl could suppress licking flavored water.

L’objectif de cette étude était de démontrer que le léchage excessif de surface (LES) chez le chien représente un signe clinique d’un trouble digestif sous-jacent plutôt qu’un trouble obsessionnel compulsif. Vingt chiens présentés pour LES (groupe L) ont été divisés en 2 sous-groupes de 10 chiens chacun : L0, sans, et LD, avec des signes cliniques digestifs concomitants. Dix chiens en santé ont été assignés à un groupe contrôle (groupe C). Une évaluation comportementale complète, un examen physique et neurologique ont été réalisés avant un bilan diagnostic gastro-intestinal (GI) complet (hématologie, biochimie, analyse urinaire, mesure des acides biliaires pré et post-prandiaux et de l’immunoréactivité spécifique de la lipase pancréatique canine, flottaison fécale au sulfate de zinc, culture de selles, échographie abdominale et endoscopie GI haute avec prise de biopsies). En fonction des résultats, un interniste recommandait un traitement approprié. Les chiens étaient suivis pendant 90 jours durant lesquels le comportement de léchage était enregistré. Des troubles GI ont été identifiés chez 14/20 chiens du groupe L. Ces troubles GI sous-jacents incluaient une infiltration éosinophilique du tractus GI, une infiltration lymphoplasmocytaire du tractus GI, un retard de vidange gastrique, un syndrome du côlon irritable, une pancréatite chronique, un corps étranger gastrique et une giardiose. Une amélioration >50% en fréquence ou en durée par rapport au comportement de léchage initial a été observée chez une majorité de chiens (56%). La moitié des chiens ont complètement cessé le LES. En dehors du LES, il n’y avait pas de différence significative de comportement (p.ex. anxiété), entre les chiens L et les chiens C. Les troubles GI doivent être considérés dans le diagnostic différentiel du LES chez le chien. / The objective of this study was to characterize excessive licking of surfaces (ELS) in dogs and demonstrate that it can be a sign of underlying gastrointestinal (GI) pathology rather than an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Twenty dogs presented with ELS (L group) were divided in 2 subgroups of 10 dogs each: L0 without and LD with concomitant digestive signs. Ten healthy dogs were assigned to a control group (C group). Behavioral, physical and neurological examinations were performed prior to a complete work-up of the GI system (CBC, serum chemistry panel, urinalysis, assessment of total serum bile acids and canine specific pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, fecal flotation by zinc sulfate, fecal culture, abdominal ultrasonography and upper GI endoscopy with biopsies). Based on results, appropriate treatment was recommended. Dogs were monitored subsequently for 90 days during which the licking behavior was recorded. Gastrointestinal disorders were identified in14/20 L dogs. Underlying GI disorders included eosinophilic infiltration of the GI tract, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the GI tract, delayed gastric emptying, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, gastric foreign body and giardiasis. Significant improvement (>50%) in frequency or duration of the basal ELS behavior was observed in the majority of dogs (56%). Resolution of ELS occurred in half of the L dogs. Except for ELS, there was no significant difference in the behavior (e.g. anxiety) of L dogs and C dogs. GI disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ELS in dogs