creators_name: Steuer, M. A.
creators_name: Thompson, A. C.
creators_name: Doerr, J. C.
creators_name: Youakim, M.
creators_name: Kristal, M. B.
type: journalp
datestamp: 1998-11-25
lastmod: 2011-03-11 08:53:39
metadata_visibility: show
title: Induction of maternal behavior in rats: Effects of pseudopregnancy termination and placenta-smeared pups
ispublished: pub
subjects: behav-neuro-sci
subjects: bio-ani-behav
subjects: bio-behav
subjects: comp-psy
subjects: neuro-chem
subjects: neuro-endocrin
subjects: physio-psy
subjects: psy-bio
full_text_status: public
keywords: Maternal behavior, pseudopregnancy, placenta, estrogen, uterus, parturition, progesterone, hormones, birth, delivery, amniotic fluid
abstract: The onset of maternal behavior in Long-Evans rats was examined after pseudopregnancy (PsP) termination, both with and without exogenous estrogen administration, and in response to either clean or placenta-smeared stimulus pups. Natural (spontaneous) PsP termination was as effective in hastening the onset of maternal behavior as ovariectomy plus estrogen injection. If clean foster pups were presented as soon as pseudopregnancy terminated (first proestrus or cornified smear), maternal behavior was exhibited within 2 days; placenta-smeared foster pups presented at the same time elicited maternal behavior within 2 hr. The combination of initiating maternal- behavior testing immediately after the natural termination of pseudopregnancy and proffering placenta-smeared pups apparently simulates the hormonal milieu as well as the environmental cues present at parturition, noninvasively, producing optimal conditions for the rapid induction of maternal behavior.
date: 1987
date_type: published
publication: Behavioral Neuroscience
volume: 101
number: 2
pagerange: 219-227
refereed: TRUE
citation:   Steuer, M. A. and Thompson, A. C. and Doerr, J. C. and Youakim, M. and Kristal, M. B.  (1987) Induction of maternal behavior in rats: Effects of pseudopregnancy termination and placenta-smeared pups.  [Journal (Paginated)]     
document_url: http://cogprints.org/71/1/psp.htm