Authors : Y. Akimoto , D. Oikawa and M. Furuse
Abstract: There is little information about itch-associated responses in neonatal rodents. We performed behavioral tests to elucidate itch-associated scratching and wriggling behaviors induced by compound 48/80 (C48/80) in 7- and 14-day-old rats. C48/80 (2.5 �g g 1 body weight per 5 �L) was s.c injected into the rostral part of the back of neonatal rats. Immediately after injection, their behavior was recorded for 30 min using a digital video camera under unmanned conditions. A series of scratching behaviors were counted as one bout of scratching. Total wriggling time was also monitored. Scratching behavior was observed in both ages, whereas wriggling behavior was seen only in 7-day-old rats. These results suggest that wriggling behavior is limited early in life and neonatal rats are available to reveal mechanisms of itch sensation and scratching behavior provoked by diseases specific to neonates or infants.
Y. Akimoto , D. Oikawa and M. Furuse , 2008. Scratching and Wriggling Behaviors Induced by Compound 48/80 in Neonatal Rats. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 7: 793-795.