title: Immobility in the swim test and observations of maternal behavior in lactating Flinders sensitive line rats.
abstract: In order to elucidate the relationship between maternal behavior and depression, the Flinders sensitive line (FSL) model of depression was studied and compared to Sprague-Dawley (SD) controls. Immobility in the swim test was measured, as an index for depressive-like behavior, and frequencies of maternal and non-maternal behaviors were recorded using short un-intrusive observations in the home cage. Lactating FSL rats displayed higher levels of immobility in the swim test compared to controls, indicating depressive-like behavior. In addition, compared to SD rats, FSL dams showed less frequent pup licking and non-nutritive contact with pups during the first and third weeks of lactation. In the third postpartum week, FSL dams showed less frequent nursing postures and more frequent self-directed behaviors. Thus, lactating FSL dams exhibit both depressed-like behavior and some abnormalities in maternal behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, and the Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lavi-Avnon
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shayit
authors.forename: Gal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yadid
authors.forename: H David
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Overstreet
authors.forename: Aron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weller
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003863:Depression / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007103:Immobilization; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016192:Resting Phase, Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*