Relationships between heart rate and open-field behavior.

Abstract

Sixty four Wistar rats were reared under either enriched or deprived conditions. In adulthood, heart rate, defecation, and ambulation were recorded in an open field. Restricted Ss were more emotional and had lower heart rates than Ss raised in enriched environments. Low heart rate was consistently associated with indices of heightened emotionality, low activity, and increased defecation.