title: Variations in maternal behavior in rats selected for infant ultrasonic vocalization in isolation.
abstract: Individual differences in maternal behavior in rodents are associated with altered physiology and behavior in offspring across their lifespan and across generations. Offspring of rat dams that engage in high frequencies of high-arched-back nursing and pup-licking (High-LG) show attenuated stress responses compared to those engaging in lower frequencies (Low-LG). Selective breeding also produces widespread alterations in physiology and behavior that are stable over generations. To examine processes underlying generational and developmental influences on anxiety in an animal model, we developed two lines of rats that emit either extremely high (High-USV) or low (Low-USV) rates of 45kHz ultrasonic vocalizations in isolation at postnatal day 10. Compared to the Low-USV line, High-USV rats display increased indices of anxiety- and depression-like behavior in adulthood. The current study assessed maternal behaviors as well as oxytocin and vasopressin receptor density in High-USV and Low-USV dams to determine if selective breeding had produced differences that paralleled those found in Low- and High-LG dams. We found that Low-USV dams engage in more high-arched nursing and pup-licking than High-USV dams. Differences in oxytocin and vasopressin receptor levels were not widespread throughout the brain, with line differences in the piriform cortex and nucleus accumbens. This research illustrates the potential interplay between genetically determined (USV line) and environmental (postnatal mother-infant interactions) factors in accounting for the phenotypes associated with maternal separation induced postnatal vocalizations.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Developmental Neuroscience, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors: Susan A
authors: SA
authors: Brunelli
authors: Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA. Electronic address: jc3181@columbia.edu.
authors: James P
authors: JP
authors: Curley
authors: Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Gudsnuk
authors: Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.
authors: Frances A
authors: FA
authors: Champagne
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Developmental Neuroscience, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors: Michael M
authors: MM
authors: Myers
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Developmental Neuroscience, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors: Myron A
authors: MA
authors: Hofer
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Developmental Neuroscience, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors: Martha G
authors: MG
authors: Welch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D008426:Maternal Deprivation; D051381:Rats; D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin / Q000378:metabolism; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000378:metabolism; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D017483:Receptors, Vasopressin; D014667:Vasopressins
keywords: Anxiety; Individual differences; Infant ultrasonic vocalizations; Maternal behavior; Oxytocin receptor; Vasopressin receptor