Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2000-1-27
pubmed:abstractText
Virgin female rats display maternal behaviors after continuous exposure to pups (sensitization) that are in some respects similar to those of postpartum females. We herein provide a detailed comparison of the "nursing" and other parental behaviors of maternally sensitized virgin females and postpartum lactating dams. Ovariectomized and intact virgin females were exposed to pups until displaying maternal behavior. On the females' fourth day of maternal responsiveness, the pups were removed for 3 h and then returned, and subject-litter interactions were observed for 45 min. Behavior of maternal virgins was compared with that of lactating dams observed on day 4 postpartum interacting with either suckling pups or pups unable to suckle due to perioral anesthesia. Ovariectomy had no effect on behavior of virgins. Retrieval and licking of pups were deficient in virgins compared with lactating dams. Suckled dams showed prolonged kyphosis (upright crouched nursing), whereas nonsuckled dams displayed little kyphosis but rather were often in a hunched position over pups. Some aspects of quiescent "nursing" behaviors of virgins were surprisingly similar to those of suckled dams, including the latency to and duration of quiescence. Nonsuckling pup stimulation elicited more kyphosis in virgins than in lactating dams, which was still much less than in suckled dams. Virgins also "nursed" pups in hunched and prone postures. Differences between sensitized and postpartum females in their maternal behaviors likely reflect differences in motivation as well as sensory inputs they receive from pups. In particular, sensory regulation of "nursing" behaviors is influenced by reproductive state because nonsuckling pups elicit different postural responses in sensitized and lactating mothers.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0018-506X
pubmed:author
pubmed:copyrightInfo
Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
36
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
242-51
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1999
pubmed:articleTitle
Comparison of the "nursing" and other parental behaviors of nulliparous and lactating female rats.
pubmed:affiliation
Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, Tobin Hall, Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.