THE ONTOGENY OF MATERNAL BEHAVIOR IN RATS: MATURATIONAL, HORMONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL INFLUENCES (HORMONES, JUVENILE RATS, DEVELOPMENT, PLAY).
Item
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Title
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THE ONTOGENY OF MATERNAL BEHAVIOR IN RATS: MATURATIONAL, HORMONAL AND EXPERIENTIAL INFLUENCES (HORMONES, JUVENILE RATS, DEVELOPMENT, PLAY).
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Identifier
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AAI8614660
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identifier
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8614660
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Creator
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BRUNELLI, SUSAN ANNE.
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Contributor
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Myron A. Hofer
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Date
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1986
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Psychobiology
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Abstract
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The present investigation utilized several approaches to examine issues associated with the ontogeny of maternal behavior in prepuberal rats. First, individual 18, 24, or 30 day-old male and female Wistar prepubertal rats (juveniles) were continuously exposed to 3-8 day-old pups for 5 days (sensitization) to determine developmental differences in the expression of maternal and other behaviors. Exposure to pups facilitated the emergence of some maternal behaviors in juveniles but not others, e.g., retrieving, and 24 day-olds retrieved more than at other ages. Few gender differences were apparent. Juvenile play behaviors (charge, pounce) were related to retrieving behavior in the context of exposure to pups. Second, individual 18 or 30 day-old male and female rats were sensitized after infusion of maternal blood plasma, dextrose, 5% in water as a control for handling, or no handling. Plasma from parturient females selectively increased retrieving behavior in 30 day-olds, and more powerfully in females than in males. On the first day both plasma and infusion-control 30 day-olds showed higher frequencies of retrieving, crouching, anogenital licking and contact than nonhandled juveniles. Thirty day-olds receiving maternal blood plasma continued to retrieve pups, with a latency peak at 72 hr., not seen in controls. Eighteen day-olds did not generally show effect. I.V. infusion procedures led to a persistent dissociation of retrieving behavior from play in older plasma and infusion-control animals. Retrieving behavior was associated with play behaviors in younger juveniles regardless of treatment, and in older nonhandled handled animals, with no integration of retrieving with other maternal behaviors. Finally, in 24 day-old juvenile rats early maternal separation and social isolation depressed retrieving behavior, but increased pupcarrying and play. As adults, early-weaned and isolated animals showed persistent alterations in play behaviors, and previously sensitized males showed integration of maternal behaviors. All female groups showed equal facilitation and integration of maternal behaviors. Overall, the results suggest that early maternal behaviors are distinct developmentally, but come under control of hormonal mechanisms, which serve to facilitate integration.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
