Does neonatal manipulation on continuous or alternate days change maternal behavior?

Débora da Silva Bandeira Rêgo Jaime Moreira Pires Maira Licia ForestiLuiz MelloAna Teresa Figueiredo Stochero Leslie

Published in: International journal of developmental neuroscience : the official journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience (2021)

Maternal separation and neonatal manipulation of pups produce changes in maternal behavior after the dam-pup reunion. Here, we examined whether continuous versus alternating days of neonatal manipulation during the first 8 postnatal days produces differential changes in maternal and non-maternal behaviors in rats. We found that both maternal separation protocols increased anogenital licking after dam-pup reunion, reflecting increased maternal care of pups.

Keyphrases

birth weight
pregnancy outcomes
healthcare
gestational age
palliative care
weight gain
mass spectrometry