Multiples reproductive experiences in rats protect the mother against the consequences of disrupting the natural dam-pup interaction.

AGUGGIA, J.P.; SUÁREZ, M.M.; RIVAROLA, M.A.

Buenos Aires

Congreso; 2nd FALAN Congress 2016; 2016

Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Neuroscience Societies and IBRO (International Brian Research Organization)

Each transit throughout the reproductive experience (RE) in a mammal's life transforms the brain, including structural and functional modifications which prepare the female for the challenges of motherhood. During this period environmental stimuli would have a significant impact in maternal behavior, as well as hormonal and sensory stimulation from pups.We examined whether RE affects the behavioral response the environmental stress of early mother-pup separation. Female Wistar rats were divided in the following experimental groups: Nulliparous (NP: none RE), Primiparous (PP: one RE) and Multiparous (MP: two RE). The PP and MP group were subjected to either animal facility rearing or daily 4,5h of separation from pups (MS) from postpartum day 1 to 21. Maternal behavior was evaluated during early postpartum. After weaning, anxiety and spatial memory were assessed. The results revealed that MP females show a greater efficiency in maternal care. PP with MS and NP females showed increased emotionality-like behaviors. MP rats show a better performance in spatial memory than PP and NP. Overall, these results suggest that female rats undergoing multiple bouts of motherhood (MP) showed better performance of maternal behavior and spatial memory tasks compared to age matched females who have one or none RE (NP). Besides, pup separation stress affect maternal behavior and emotionality in PP rats but multiparity dampened the consequences of disrupting the natural dam?pup interaction.