In the open field, handled rats excreted fewer fecal boli than non-handled rats (Handling main effect: F1,28 = 26.86, P = 0.000; η2 = 0.392; Fig. 1b). In the elevated plus maze, handling increased % open arm time (Handling main effect: F1,28 = 8.99, P = 0.006; η2 = 0.162; Fig. 1d), but did not alter % closed arm time (P > 0.05; Data not shown), compared to non-handling. Closed arm entries, stretch-attend postures, and head dips in the elevated plus maze were unaffected by handling manipulation (P > 0.05; Data not shown).
