High-frequency (35–70 kHz) ultrasonic vocalizations in rats confronted with anesthetized conspecifics: Effects of gepirone, ethanol, and diazepam

Are 50-khz calls used as play signals in the playful interactions of rats? III. The effects of devocalization on play with unfamiliar partners as juveniles and as adults

“…If this is so, then it is possible that the intact rat compensates for the lack of calling from the devocalized partner by increasing its own calling rate. Consistent with this possibility are the findings that the frequency of calling when an intact rat attacks a devocalized partner is the same as when it attacks an intact one (Kisko et al, 2015), and that when confronted with an anesthetized partner, an awake rat increases the frequency of 50-kHz calls that it emits (Blanchard et al, 1993). Rendall (1997, 2001) hypothesize that the primary function of vocalizations in animals is not to convey information about the emotional state of the caller, but instead, to influence the emotional state of the receiver.…”

Principles of Rat Communication: Quantitative Parameters of Ultrasonic Calls in Rats

“…Short calls of the 50-kHz type are emitted by juvenile and adult rats within a frequency range of 35-72 kHz (Blanchard, et al, 1993;Brudzynski and Pniak, 2002;Fu and Brudzynski, 1994;Kaltwasser, 1990;Takahashi et al, 1983;Wintink and Brudzynski, 2001;). The calls have short durations of 30-50 ms and a narrow bandwidth of 5-7 kHz.…”

Vocalization as a social signal in defensive behavior

“…Juvenile and adult rats produce two kinds of USV; a high-pitched and short, circa 50 kHz USV, and a low-pitched and longer, circa 22 kHz USV. 50 kHz USV are emitted in non-aggressive conspecific social interactions ( Blanchard et al, 1993 ), during play ( Knutson et al, 1998 ), and during male ejaculation ( McIntosh and Barfield, 1980 ). Such calls have also been reported during fighting in male conspecifics ( Sales and Pye, 1974 ;Burgdorf et al, 2008 ).…”