Social Variables Affect Maternal Behavior in Lactating Female Hooded Rats

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of social factors on pup-directed activities by Long-Evans hooded rats. Maternal responsiveness was measured by placing virgin and lactating animals or pairs of lactating rats in an open field. The animals were separated from 6- to 9-day-old pups by a barrier of plastic screening. Virgin-lactator pairings produced a high incidence of aggression whereas pairs of maternal animals co-operated in removal of the obstacle and pup care. The study suggests that the rat's maternal behavior can be modified by social facilitation

The impact of newborn on adult mice: Open-field behavior along with pullus index

“…Background for the present research was provided by studies on maternal OF behavior (Ader & Belfer, 1962;Akuta, 1979;Bauer, 1980;Lagerspetz & Heino, 1970;Lassalle, Bulman-Fleming, & Wahlsten, 1991;Mainardi, Mainardi, Favoriti, & Pasquali, 1976;Ward, 1980). These studies did not concentrate on the importance of housing conditions; studies on paternal OF behavior did not do so METHOD Subjects A total of 46 adult mice (24 females and 22 males) from an outbred Swiss albino stock were used.…”