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PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term effects of acute perinatal asphyxia on rat maternal behavior.

In this study we used a rat model of graded perinatal asphyxia to study the long-term consequences of this manipulation on rat maternal behavior at adulthood. Rats were delivered by cesarean (C) section and the pups, still in the uterus horns, were placed into a water bath at 37 degrees C for periods of 0 (controls) or 20 min (asphyxia). Subsequently, female pups were given to surrogate mothers, weaned at 21 days postnatally and then left undisturbed until adulthood, when they were mated. Once they gave birth, on postnatal days (Pnds) 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 they were observed in the home cage five times per day to assess their maternal behavior in an undisturbed condition. In addition, maternal behavior was observed for 30 min in a novel cage on Pnds 4 and 8. Perinatal asphyxia affected maternal behavior in the home cage, hypoxic females being more often found outside the nest area and performing more often behaviors such as self-grooming. Principal component analysis confirmed a more 'active' behavioral profile for hypoxic females. Hypoxic mothers were characterized by a longer latency to perform on-nest behavior and by a reduced frequency of pup retrieval and licking in the novel cage. No significant differences in corticosterone secretion in response to an acute stressor were found in dams belonging to the different treatments or in the body weights of the offspring. These results are suggestive of an arousal deficit due to perinatal hypoxia and point to the dopaminergic system as a potential neurochemical target for an early hypoxic insult.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1987

Differences in maternal behavior of rats and the sociosexual development of the offspring.

This paper describes experiments designed to investigate long-term behavioral consequences for offspring of changes in maternal behavior directed toward them as pups. Specifically, the hypothesis was considered that experimentally induced alterations in maternal behavior would result in general and wide-ranging effects on offspring development, including effects on later social and sexual behavior. The first experiment looked at the effects of changing pup odors on maternal responsiveness toward the pups, and showed that the application of perfume, particularly to the anogenital region, resulted in significant lowering of maternal anogenital licking of pups. Non-pup-directed behavior did not differ between groups. The behavior of those pups that had thus differed in infant experience was then followed in three subsequent experiments. In Experiment 2, social behavior during the juvenile period was investigated, focusing particularly on the expression of social play. The most noticeable difference to emerge in this experiment was that male pups that had been anogenitally perfumed as infants showed much higher levels of social play than male or female pups from other treatment groups. The last two experiments considered adult behavior. Experiment 3 showed that there are no lasting effects of the neonatal treatment on the attractiveness an animal has for its conspecifics. In the final experiment, "masculine" sexual behavior of males (mounts with intromission), and "feminine" sexual behavior of females (i.e., lordosis and proceptive behavior) were investigated. This confirmed previous reports by Moore (1984) (Moore, C. L. (1984). Maternal contributions to the development of masculine sexual behavior in laboratory rats. Dev. Psychobiol., 17:347-363) that those male pups that had received lower rates of anogenital licking as pups showed longer intermount intervals, when tested as adults. The results are discussed in relation to the development of sexually differentiated behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Restoration of staggerer mouse maternal behavior following long-term breeding selection.

Two lines of staggerers from the C57BL/6 strain were tested for disturbances in maternal behavior and locomotion. One line, called Pasteur, included staggerers available at L'Institut Pasteur. The second line, called Selected, included staggerers that had been bred in our laboratory for several generations for their ability to reproduce. While none of the Pasteur animals showed any evidence of maternal behavior, most of the Selected mutant mice became maternal, carrying about 90% of the pups until weaning. No group differences were seen in locomotory behavior. It was concluded that a) as a result of long-term breeding selection, homozygous (sg/sg) animals of the C57BL/6 strain may be able to exhibit maternal behavior from birth on, even under standard laboratory conditions; b) the restoration of the maternal behavior does not equally affect all components of this behavior pattern; and c) the impairment of the maternal behavior showed by the staggerer females is not a necessary consequence of impaired locomotory capacity characteristic of the staggerer.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

An instrument to assess the quality of maternal behavior.

Early assessment, detection, and therapeutic intervention in maladaptive maternal behavior can be facilitated by a simple nursing appraisal instrument employed initially on the third postpartum day. The Funke-Irby Interactional Assessment not only discriminates between early adaptive and maladaptive maternal behaviors, but it also illustrates a mother's progress or lack of progress toward adaptive mothering, making the instrument useful to the community health nurse during the early postdelivery weeks. This instrument has been effectively used as a screening device for nurses making decisions about the need for further referral for family therapy.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2005

Dopamine d1 and d2 receptor antagonism in the preoptic area produces different effects on maternal behavior in lactating rats.

The preoptic area (POA) is critical for maternal behavior in rats but little is known about what neurotransmitters released here influence maternal responding. POA infusion of 10 microg (but not 2 microg) of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390 greatly impaired retrieval and licking of pups but not other maternal or nonmaternal behaviors in lactating rats. In contrast, POA infusion of 10 microg (but not 2 microg) of the D2 receptor antagonist raclopride facilitated nursing but did not affect oral maternal behaviors. SCH-23390 in the medial hypothalamus tended to impair licking but not retrieval. Raclopride in the medial hypothalamus had no effects. Therefore, D1 and D2 receptor activity, particularly in the POA, is important for regulating different maternal behaviors.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1988

Axon-sparing lesions of the preoptic region and substantia innominata disrupt maternal behavior in rats.

In this study we investigated the effects of axon-sparing lesions of the preoptic region on the maternal behavior of postpartum rats. The lesions were produced with the excitotoxic amino acid N-methyl-D,L-aspartic acid (NMA). The first experiment determined that bilateral injections of NMA into the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of fully maternal lactating rats disrupted maternal behavior. In a second experiment, bilateral injections of NMA into the lateral preoptic area and adjoining substantia innominata (LP/SI region) also disrupted maternal behavior. A third experiment, employing horseradish peroxidase histochemistry, provided anatomical evidence that NMA destroys neuronal cell bodies while sparing fibers of passage. These findings were discussed with respect to the view that an MPOA-to-LP/SI-to-ventral tegmental area circuit underlies maternal behavior in the rat.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Neurons in the lateral subdivision of the habenular complex mediate the hormonal onset of maternal behavior in rats.

Expanding on research showing that radio-frequency-induced lesions of the habenular complex disrupt the hormonal onset of maternal behavior in rats, we explored the importance of neurons in the lateral (Lhb) subdivision of the habenular complex for the onset of maternal behavior. On Day 12 of pregnancy, bilateral cytotoxic lesions were produced in the Lhb with kainic acid or, as a control, just dorsal in the medial hippocampus. A 3rd group had radio-frequency-induced Lhb and medial (Mhb) lesions. On Day 16 of pregnancy, Ss were hysterectomized-ovariectomized, given estradiol, and tested 48 hr later for 10 days. Neuroanatomical tracing with fluoro-gold was then used to directly quantify the extent and location of Lhb neuron loss and to verify that Mhb neurons were intact. Cytotoxic lesions of the entire Lhb prevented the onset of all components of maternal behavior compared with controls. Results show that neurons in the Lhb, not the Mhb, are important for onset of maternal behavior in rats.

Amygdala↗

PubMed1994

Hormonal priming and triggering of maternal behavior in the rat with special reference to the relations between estrogen receptor binding and ER mRNA in specific brain regions.

Estrogen stimulation of maternal behavior during pregnancy in the rat has been studied at several levels of analysis. These include (a) changes in maternal responsiveness during pregnancy; (b) hormonal stimulation of maternal behavior; and (c) correlation between nuclear binding of estradiol in the medial preoptic area and the stimulation of maternal behavior (i.e., in pregnancy-terminated, ovariectomized females treated with estradiol benzoate). These studies have given rise to the concepts of hormonal priming and triggering of maternal behavior during pregnancy and at parturition. More recently, using in situ hybridization, ER mRNA was measured during pregnancy (also diestrus and postpartum) in brain regions in which binding previously had been studied, to investigate further the regulation of hormonal priming. Steady state levels of ER mRNA per cell and cell densities of ER mRNA produced a measure of total ER mRNA per brain region which was then compared to nuclear estrogen receptor binding. The relation between binding and ER mRNA is presented for one of the brain regions, the rostral medial preoptic nucleus. The results indicate that ER transcription is regulated during pregnancy, but regulation is specific to each brain region and there is no simple relation between ER mRNA and nuclear estrogen receptor binding.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Surveillance for selected maternal behaviors and experiences before, during, and after pregnancy. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), 2000.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: Various maternal behaviors and experiences are associated with adverse health outcomes for both the mother and the infant. These behaviors and experiences can occur before pregnancy (e.g., insufficient intake of folic acid), during pregnancy (e.g., complications requiring hospitalization, such as high blood pressure), and after pregnancy (e.g., inadequate follow-up of infants who were discharged early). Information regarding maternal behaviors and experiences is needed to monitor trends, to enhance the understanding of the relations between behaviors and health outcomes, to plan and evaluate programs, to direct policy decisions, and to monitor progress toward Healthy People 2010 objectives (US Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2010. 2nd. ed. With understanding and improving health and objectives for improving health [2 vols.]. Washington DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, 2000). REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: This report covers data for 2000. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is an ongoing, state- and population-based surveillance system designed to monitor selected self-reported maternal behaviors and experiences that occur before, during, and after pregnancy among women who deliver a live-born infant in 31 states and New York City. PRAMS employs a mixed-mode data collection methodology; as many as three self-administered surveys are mailed to a sample of mothers, and nonresponders are followed up with a telephone interview. Self-reported survey data are linked to selected birth certificate data and weighted for sample design, nonresponse, and noncoverage to create annual PRAMS analysis data sets. PRAMS data can be used to produce statewide estimates of various perinatal health behaviors and experiences among women delivering a live infant. Four indicators for the year 2000 (multivitamin use, pregnancy-related complications, infant checkup, and postpartum contraceptive use) from 19 states are examined in this report. RESULTS: In 2000, the prevalence of multivitamin use > or =4 times per week in the month before pregnancy ranged from 25.0% to 40.7% across the 19 states. Prevalence of pregnancy-related complications requiring hospitalization ranged from 8.8% to 16.3%. Prevalence of infant checkups within 1 week of early (< or =48 hours) hospital discharge ranged from 51.5% to 88.6%. Prevalence of postpartum contraceptive use ranged from 77.9% to 89.9%. INTERPRETATION: PRAMS data indicate that 19 states are well below the Healthy People 2010 objective for folic acid consumption, as measured by multivitamin use. Data for infant checkups indicate that guidelines for care are not being followed for as many as half of those discharged early. However, data for additional years are needed to assess trends in these four indicators. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: State maternal and child health programs can use these population-based data to monitor progress toward Healthy People 2010 objectives, evaluate adherence to guidelines for care, and assess changes in prevalence of other health behaviors. The data can be shared with policy makers to direct policy decisions that might affect the health of mothers and infants. By providing data on maternal behaviors and experiences that are associated with adverse outcomes, PRAMS supports the activities of two CDC initiatives-to promote safe motherhood and to reduce infant mortality and low birthweight.

Contraception Behavior↗

PubMed1989

Nuclear estrogen receptor binding in the preoptic area and hypothalamus of pregnancy-terminated rats: correlation with the onset of maternal behavior.

Terminating the pregnancies of female rats on day 16 (D 16) by hysterectomy and ovariectomy (HO) and administering estradiol benzoate (EB) systemically or centrally into the medial preoptic area (MPOA) stimulates the onset of maternal behavior 48 h later. Since estrogen's effects are mediated through its intracellular receptors, the present studies measured nuclear and cytosol estrogen receptor concentrations in the POA and hypothalamus (HYP) of female rats during the 48 h when estrogen is active in stimulating maternal behavior. A low dose of EB (5 micrograms/kg) was used which was effective in stimulating maternal behavior in D16HO females but not in nonpregnant HO females of two types. In D16 animals there was a significantly higher concentration of nuclear receptors in the POA than in the HYP at time 0 (before HO and EB) but thereafter levels were similar in the two areas: nuclear receptor levels rose between 6 and 24 h after which they declined. In nonpregnant females, nuclear receptor levels at time 0 were low in both brain regions, rose significantly between 0 and 24 h, and significantly declined between 24 and 48 h similar to the D16 females. There were minimal differences in cytosol receptor levels among all groups at any time. Results from additional groups, nonpregnant HO females given 100 micrograms/kg EB and D16H animals (females whose pregnancies were terminated by hysterectomy only and their ovaries left intact), both of which exhibit maternal behavior at 48 h, support the idea that a high level of nuclear estrogen receptors in the POA followed by a sustained high level is necessary for estrogen stimulation of maternal behavior.

Abortion, Induced↗

PubMed1983

Induction of maternal behavior and some hormonal and physiological correlates in the domestic hen.

The manifestation of maternal behavior and the variations of plasmatic levels of gonadic hormones (testosterone, delta 4-androstenedione, and 17 beta-estradiol) have been studied in two groups of domestic hens (layers and nonlayers) during a forced adoption experiment. Maternal behavior appears later in actively laying hens than in nonlayers. The former hens show a higher level of androgens (T and delta 4). The appearance of typical maternal behavior coincides with a pause in laying and a decrease in all the plasmatic steroid levels measured.

Androstenedione↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Factors influencing maternal behavior in the hubb/hubb mutant mouse.

We examined the maternal behavior of hubb/hubb mutant mice and normal control (+/hubb) siblings. From previous observations we noted that mutants groom their pups less, suckle less than normal, and often cannibalize the young. To date, these observations had not been quantified. Although prolactin (PRL) is linked to maternal behavior, it was difficult to measure because of the hyperirratibility of the mutant mice. Consequently, dopamine (DA) and its metabolite, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), were measured in the median eminence in brains of both normal and mutant mice. Tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-determining step in dopamine synthesis, was localized in the brain by immunohistochemistry. Five mutant and nine normal dams were observed for pup retrieval and crouching. Mean time for pup retrieval was slower (p < 0.06) for mutants (28.09 s) than for normal dams (18.49 s). Crouching was the same for both strains. Mutant pups were cold to the touch, and not well groomed. Brains from both strains were examined at Day 11 and Day 18 of gestation and Day 2 and Day 11 of lactation. Qualitatively, tyrosine hydroxylase localization in the arcuate nucleus and median eminence was the same in both strains for the gestation samples. The decrease in staining observed from gestation to lactation in the normal mice was increased in the mutants. Dopamine was similar in both strains at all stages, but DOPAC was significantly higher at early lactation in the mutants. We do not assume an absolute inverse relationship between dopaminergic activities and prolactin, but it is likely that the increase in DOPAC in the mutant reflects a decrease in prolactin, which could contribute to the diminished maternal care in the mutants.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

PubMed1985

Lever pressing for pups: evidence for hormonal influence upon maternal behavior of mice.

Five experiments were performed to determine the extent to which hormones influence maternal behavior of the female mouse. The number of pup-reinforced lever presses served as the measure of maternal behavior. In Experiment 1 it was found that postpartum mice performed significantly more pup-reinforced lever presses than intact or ovariectomized virgins. The second experiment showed that the augmentation of responding was unique to the postpartum period since responding was not facilitated during the last three days of pregnancy. Experiment 3 established that the postpartum augmentation of responding was mediated by the termination of pregnancy and not by parturition per se. It also was observed that the earlier during gestation pregnancy was terminated the greater the decline in response rate. Experiment 4 proved that ovarian secretions play a critical role in the pregnancy-terminated facilitation of pup-reinforced lever pressing. The final experiment demonstrated that the termination-of-pregnancy effect on responding in all likelihood is mediated by the synergistic actions of estrogen stimulation and progesterone withdrawal. The results show that the maternal behavior of the mouse, like that of the rat, is responsive to hormonal stimulation.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Hormonal regulation of maternal behavior in rats: stimulation following treatment with ectopic pituitary grafts plus progesterone.

Changes in hormone secretions during pregnancy help to stimulate the onset of maternal behavior at parturition. To date, studies have demonstrated that estradiol (E2) appears to be a necessary component in the hormonal induction of maternal behavior in rats and other mammals. In the present study, we have reevaluated the contribution of E2, progesterone (P), and hormone-secreting pituitary grafts in the rapid induction of maternal behavior by measuring the behavioral effects of exposure to various combinations of P and prolactin-secreting ectopic pituitary grafts in the absence of estrogen. Adult hypophysectomized and nonhypophysectomized nulliparous rats were ovariectomized 2-3 days (Treatment Day 1) after their arrival in our laboratory. In Experiment #1, experimental, hypophysectomized rats were implanted s.c. with 6 P-filled Silastic capsules and given 2 anterior pituitary (AP) glands that were grafted beneath the kidney capsule on Treatment Day 1. Controls were given blank implants and were sham-grafted. P-filled and blank Silastic capsules were removed on Day 11, and behavioral testing was conducted once-a-day beginning on Day 12 for eleven days. Animals treated with P-plus-pituitary grafts displayed full maternal behavior significantly faster than did controls (median latencies of 3.0 and 7.5 days, respectively). In Experiment #2, nonhypophysectomized rats were assigned to one of three treatments. On Treatment Day 1, one group of rats received 6 P-filled Silastic implants and had 2 AP glands grafted under their renal capsules. A second group of animals received 6 P capsules and was sham-grafted, while controls were given blank implants and were sham-grafted.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Physical growth of low birthweight infants in the first year of life: impact of maternal behaviors.

Physical growth of preterm infants relates to many medical factors, such as birthweight, severity of medical illnesses, and nutritional status. We previously reported that maternal behaviors influence developmental outcomes in low birthweight infants (birthweight < 1600 g); we now hypothesize that maternal behaviors also influence physical somatic growth in low birthweight (LBW) infants. We serially followed 218 mother-infant pairs from birth through 12 months of age. One-hundred thirteen LBW infants were categorized based on severity of early medical complications. Low Risk infants (LR, n = 71) had acute respiratory distress and/or grade 1-2 intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), or grade 3 IVH without hydrocephalus. High Risk infants (HR, n = 42) had chronic lung disease, grade 3 IVH with hydrocephalus or grade 4 IVH, and/or periventricular leukomalacia. We also studied 105 socioeconomic (SES) matched Full Term (FT) controls. Maternal behaviors were assessed during home visits with global ratings of Warm Sensitivity and Punitiveness. Infant weight was measured at birth and at 38 weeks, 6 months and 12 months corrected gestational age. We examined alternative expressions of weight growth across the three groups by developing the Weight Quotient (WQ), which is the ratio of actual measured weight to the median weight for age. For each infant the regression of the WQ ratio against correct gestational age was analyzed. We used a General Linear Model to compare the relation of the maternal variables to the weight quotients for the three groups. We determined the catch up growth as the slope of each regression. Results indicated that higher levels of maternal Punitiveness were related to slower rates of growth for High Risk (R2 = 0.36), but not Low Risk or Full Term. For maternal Warm Sensitivity (R2 = 0.36), there were significant (P < 0.05) inverse relations with weight gain growth for the Full Term infants. These data suggest that some maternal behaviors are related to the growth of term and premature infants, although the mechanisms through which this occurs is unclear.

Behavior↗

PubMed1991

Intracerebroventricular cholecystokinin infusions block beta-endorphin-induced disruption of maternal behavior.

Recent work has shown that infusions of beta-endorphin, an endogenous opioid, into the ventricular system of lactating rats blocks normal maternal behavior. Other behavioral and biochemical studies have demonstrated that sulfated cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) can have effects opposite those of opioids. The present study evaluated whether intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of CCK-8 is able to antagonize the inhibitory effect of beta-endorphin on maternal behavior. The results of this study demonstrated that CCK-8 (14.5 nmol) prevented the beta-endorphin (1.45 nmol)-induced increase in latencies to retrieve the first pup, retrieve all pups, and to group and crouch over rat pups. In addition, reductions in the percentage of rats retrieving all pups and displaying full maternal behavior were prevented by CCK-8. These data suggest that CCK-8 can act as an opioid antagonist in neural systems that control maternal behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

The effects of paraventricular hypothalamic lesions on maternal behavior in rats.

The present study was undertaken to determine whether the disruptive effects of knife cuts which sever the lateral connections of the medial preoptic area (MPOA) on maternal behavior are mediated by interfering with the output of the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN). Postpartum rats received one of the following: Knife cuts severing the lateral connections of the MPOA; knife cuts severing the lateral connections of the PVN; radiofrequency lesions of the PVN; sham lesions or knife cuts. Only females that received knife cuts severing the lateral connections of the MPOA showed severe deficits in maternal behavior. These results indicate that the influence of the MPOA on maternal behavior is not mediated by the output of the PVN. Since the PVN is the major source of oxytocin input to other brain regions, these results also suggest that oxytocinergic neural pathways are not critical for postpartum maternal behavior. Another important finding was that females with MPOA knife cuts that did not retrieve their young were capable of hoarding candy, suggesting that the retrieval deficit was not the result of a general oral motor deficit.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Brief vs. long maternal separations in infancy: contrasting relationships with adult maternal behavior and lactation levels of aggression and anxiety.

We compared the effects of daily long (3 h), brief (15 min) or no maternal separation (LMS, BMS, NMS) on postnatal days 2-14 on maternal behavior, aggression and anxiety levels during lactation in adulthood. Animals subjected to LMS received less maternal grooming than animals subjected to BMS. Maternal behaviors, including nursing, pup-grooming (PG) frequency and proportion of total grooming (PG+self-grooming) and nest-building during the immediate postpartum period and on postpartum days 2 and 5 were lower in dams with LMS experience compared to dams with BMS experience. LMS dams attacked male rats placed in their home cages less quickly and less often than did BMS or NMS dams. LMS dams also exhibited more anxiety than BMS dams in the elevated plus maze test. Thus, maternal separation during the postnatal period (or associated changes in the amount of maternal grooming received) affected subsequent adult maternal behavior, aggression and anxiety. The mechanism for this remains to be discovered, however, it seems likely to involve alteration of the development of oxytocin receptors in the brain.

Aggression↗