VPB 121: Veterinary Physiology - II (2+1)

CONDITIONED REFLEXES

Conditioned reflexes (Conditioned responses)

• These reflexes are acquired or reflexes that are gained naturally or artificially by the individual during the course of their lifetime.
• Salivary and the gastric secretions produced in response to food is a natural and inborn reflex.  The sight or the smell of the food forms the natural stimulus, which causes the natural conditioned response in the form of salivary or gastric secretions.
• If the animal is fed in association with the bell sound or music (neutral stimuli) and this practice is frequently repeated, it causes conditioned salivary secretion to the bell sound or music even in the absence of food. This type of response is referred to as artificial conditioned reflexes. Pavlov, a Russian Scientist proved this reflex mechanism in the dogs.  

• Conditioned responses develop in relation to an already existing mechanism, which can be an inborn reflex or another conditioned mechanism. These reflexes have been developed in relation to cardiovascular, alimentary, pupillary and secretary reflexes.
• Visual, olfactory, auditory, gustatory, tactile and proprioceptive stimuli have been used to evoke conditioned responses. The afferent side of the conditioned mechanism of conditioned stimuli becomes attached to an already functional efferent side of the reflex.
• Cerebral cortex plays an important role in the formation and maintenance of conditioned responses.