Alternations in the maternal behavior of rats rearing malnourished offspring

Abstract

Investigations of maternal behavior of mothers fed a low‐protein diet indicated deficits in retrieval and in the rate of nest‐building. In addition, they indicated a concomitant increase in time spent with young when assessed during periods not associated with the retrieval/nest‐building test session. The adrenalectomized mother, another case that produces growth‐stunted progeny, was compared with both low‐protein and control mothers for maternal behavior. Unlike the low‐protein mother, the adrenalectomized mother did not exhibit retrieval or nest‐building deficits; however, the adrenalectomized mother did display an increase in time spent with young. These data suggest that although deficits in retrieval and nest‐building can be attributed to the nutritional condition of the mother, the stimulus characteristics of the malnourished pup are important in eliciting the increased time spent with the litter.