title: Mother-pup interactions during a short olfactory deprivation period in young rats.
abstract: The effects of short-term bilateral naris occlusion (inducing olfactory deprivation) on mother-pup interactions, suckling behavior and hormonal status during post-natal development in Wistar rats were studied. Bilateral naris occlusion was performed on 8-day-old rat pups and its effects were evaluated at Day 9 and at Day 15. The narins opened spontaneously between Day 12 and 14. Olfactory-deprived pups exhibited a greater level of corticosterone at both ages versus untreated or sham animals. Olfactory deprivation via naris occlusion, in young rats, alters mother-pup interactions with a decrease in the duration of mother-pup retrieving and an increase in pup licking. Olfactory-deprived pups showed also a lower mean duration of nursing and a decrease in nipple attachment, which appeared related to difficulties in finding the nipple. Olfactory-deprived pups had difficulty recognizing their nest. These behavioral alterations were accompanied by a diminution in milk ingested and growth retardation associated with a reduced level of thyroxin at both 9 and 15 days of age.
authors.affiliation: Université H. Poincaré, B.P.70239, 54506 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gelhaye
authors.forename: Guy Stéphane
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Padzys
authors.forename: Jean-Charles
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Olry
authors.forename: Simon N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Martrette
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trabalon
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000502:physiology; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D055696:Olfactory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012683:Sensory Deprivation / Q000502:physiology*; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013391:Sucking Behavior / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D003345:Corticosterone