Is Retrieving a Measure of Maternal Behavior in the Rat?

Abstract

Lactating, pregnant and nonpregnant adult female, and adult male rats were exposed to a rat pup, a food pellet, and a plastic toy for 3 min. on 7 consecutive days. Lactating females were the most active retrievers and showed a marked preference for the pup. All other groups showed retrieving behavior but there was no preference for the pup relative to the inanimate objects. It is concluded that “maternal” behavior must be demonstrably oriented toward the young of the species rather than the execution of behavior which is merely within the repertoire of the animal.