Nociceptive Responses of 3-Day-Old Rat Pups to IP Injection of Lithium Carbonate.

RAT behavior; ANIMAL young; NOCICEPTORS; ZOOLOGY -- Experiments; SENSES; GROWTH

Various authors have suggested that neonatal responses to nociceptive stimuli are different than those observed in adults. However, our own recent observations in rat pups have indicated that neonates may be more responsive to nociceptive stimuli than previously thought. In the present study, the abdominal constrictions or writhing test of visceral nociception was adapted for use in 3-day-old rat pups in an effort to more completely assess the nociceptive responses of neonatal rat pups. Pups receiving the irritant showed robust and long-lasting behavioral differences that were attenuated by morphine sulfate. The results from our study indicate that neonatal rats pups are not insensitive to noxious stimulation as has been previously suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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