AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN BEHAVIORAL TOXICOLOGY RESEARCH: THE EFFECTS OF 60 HZ ELECTRIC FIELD EXPOSURE IN BABOONS (SUPERSPECIES PAPIO CYNOCEPHALUS)

This dissertation compares operant conditioning and direct observational methods used in nonhuman primate behavioral toxicology research, and describes the methods and results of three experiments testing the behavioral effects of baboon social group exposure to 60 Hz electric fields. Although operant behavior methods developed first and have been used most frequently, observational methods provide complimentary information, and are valuable for assessing experimental treatment effects in the social environment.;The mean frequency of Startle behavior was increased (P < .05) during electric field exposure in all three experiments. In the 30 kv/m studies, the mean frequency of Startle decreased with continued exposure. The mean frequency of Approach behaviors increased significantly (P < .05) only during the initial electric field exposure period. These behavior changes, along with other changes in rates of individual and social behaviors, did not appear to be harmful to the baboon subjects and were usually temporary. The observational techniques designed for use in these experiments were effective for documentation and evaluation of behavioral changes observed in social groups of baboons in response to 60 Hz electric field exposure.;Small social groups of baboons (superspecies Papio cynocephalus) were separately studied in three experiments investigating the effects of 60 Hz electric field exposure. In two similarly designed experiments, baboons were exposed to a 30 kv/m electric field for 25 days and 52 days, respectively. In the third experiment, baboons were exposed to a 60 kv/m electric field for ten days; additional ten-day periods were used to collect baseline and post-treatment data. These data were derived from ten-minute focal animal samples and instantaneous scan samples. Experimental data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis-of-variance.