Cardiovascular responses in anticipation of changes in posture and locomotion

Measurements were made in 29 adult baboons that were housed in social group s, allowing the occurrence of the full range of species-specific behavioral interactions. The cardiovascular variables measured included blood pressur e, heart rate, renal blood flow, lower limb blood flow, and occasionally me senteric blood flow. The data were telemetered from backpacks worn by the a nimals and were recorded in analogue form on a polygraph, digitally on a co mputer and were also recorded on the audio channels of videotape being made of the behavior and social interactions of the baboons. The video and the computer recordings were synchronized by a timing system that made it possi ble to relate the cardiovascular responses to the behavioral responses. A n umerically based behavioral code was developed that allowed the categorizat ion of the totality of the behavior, including postural and locomotor chang es. Comparisons between baseline cardiovascular values and those occurring 1 s before the initiation of a movement or posture change gave no evidence of anticipatory cardiovascular responses unless the movement was associated with behavior that included emotional content. Hypothalamic perifornical l esions reduced or eliminated these anticipatory changes. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.