Abstract
To assess the effects of preweaning and juvenile experiences on adult maternal behavior, two experiments were completed. In Experiment 1, pups were separated for long periods or short periods or were left undisturbed over the 1st week. Following weaning, the rats were exposed to foster pups over a 5-day period or were left undisturbed. There were no effects of early experience on juvenile behavior. In adult postpartum maternal tests, short separations reduced latencies to express maternal behaviors, whereas long separations combined with juvenile exposure to pups increased latencies. In Experiment 2, pups were separated for long periods or were left undisturbed over the 1st week. Following weaning, the rats were exposed to foster pups for 4 days or 8 days or were left undisturbed. Long separation retarded maternal responding in juvenile animals but had no effect on the adults. Four days of juvenile experience had negative effects on adult behavior, whereas 8 days did not have an effect.
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This research was supported by NSERC to A.S.F.
An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/BF03192910.
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Rees, S.L., Fleming, A.S. How early maternal separation and juvenile experience with pups affect maternal behavior and emotionality in adult postpartum rats. Animal Learning & Behavior 29, 221–233 (2001). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03192889
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03192889