Early undernourishment interferes with the maternal aggressive response triggered by an intruder entering the homing cage.
The maternal aggressive response (MAR) against intruders is temporarily expressed during lactation in association with the rearing and protection of offspring to promote their survival and growth in the nest. This normal component of maternal behaviour requires both the hormonal changes occurring at the end of pregnancy and the presence of pups for its establishment. Because early food restriction in the rat results in long-term maternal deficiencies, we analysed in Wistar rats the effects of perinatal undernutrition on the MAR to an intruder at days 1, 4, and 8 postpartum. The data showed that undernourished dams exhibited significant reductions of sniffing frequency on days 4 and 8 and significant increases of biting on day 4 and of lateral attacks on postpartum days 4 and 8. The finding of an altered MAR during the lactating period may be relevant for the survival and long-term behavioural development of the progeny.
Perez-Torrero
Esther
E
Department of Developmental Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM Juriquilla, Querétaro 76001, Mexico. torrero@biomedicas.unam.mx
Salas
Manuel
M
D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings; D005260:Female; D006702:Homing Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000523:psychology*; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D023421:Models, Animal; D009425:Nesting Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013731:Territoriality