Sensory, hormonal, and neural control of maternal aggression in laboratory rodents.
Parental animals of many rodent species display fierce and persistent aggression toward unfamiliar conspecifics that appears to protect their often altricial and defenseless young. We herein review studies of the sensory, hormonal, neuroanatomical, and neurochemical mechanisms underlying maternal aggression in laboratory rodents. The relationship between maternal aggression and fearfulness or anxiety is also discussed.
Lonstein
Joseph S
JS
Program in Neuroscience and Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA. lonstein@msu.edu
Gammie
Stephen C
SC
D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D001007:Anxiety / Q000378:metabolism; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000502:physiology*; D007774:Lactation / Q000378:metabolism; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009434:Neural Pathways; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D011247:Pregnancy; D012377:Rodentia; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology*
D006728:Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents