The influence of pharmacologically-induced affective states on attention bias in sheep.

摘要: When an individual attends to certain types of information more than others, the behavior is termed attention bias. The occurrence biases in humans and animals can depend on their affective states. Based evidence from human literature prior studies sheep, we hypothesized that bias test could discriminate between pharmacologically-induced positive negative states sheep. measured allocation a threat stimulus using key measures looking time vigilance. Eighty 7-year-old Merino ewes were allocated one four treatment groups; Anxious (m-chlorophenylpiperazine), Calm (diazepam), Happy (morphine) Control (saline). Drugs administered 30 min testing. was conducted 4 × 4.2 m arena with high opaque walls. An approximately life-size photograph sheep positioned wall (positive stimulus). A small window retractable cover opposite wall, behind which dog standing quietly (threat). visible for 3 s after single entered arena, then covered removed. Sheep remained while behaviors recorded. Key included toward or photo duration vigilance latency become non-vigilant. In contrast our hypothesis, no significant differences found groups behaviors, although tended be vigilant (P < 0.1) had longer non-vigilant 0.001). total 24 80 entire duration. This censoring data may explain why detected Overall, lack difference suggest cannot We data, use insufficient drug doses, potential influence background noise age groups. Due these effects, it remains unclear whether detect