[Effect of vibrissae removal on the defensive behavior of rats in early ontogeny]

Influence of restricted sensory afferentation in rats forming of defensive reactions was studied by vibrissectomy from 9 to 20 day of postnatal ontogeny. Defensive withdrawal reaction in response to touch from 10 to 18 day, duration of freezing on 20 day, "open field" behavior on 25 day were measured. Intensity of withdrawal reactions, freezing duration, flight reaction and emotionality in "open field" were lower in vibrissectomized rats with comparison to control.