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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Dynamics of mother-pup interactions: tradeoff between environment and physiology

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Author(s):
Renata Gonçalves Vasconcelos [1] ; Marianne Orlandini Klein [2] ; Aline Mello Cruz [3] ; Luciano Freitas Felicio [4]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil
[2] Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil
[3] Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil
[4] Universidade de São Paulo - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: Psychology & Neuroscience; v. 5, n. 2, p. 215-219, 2012-12-00.
Abstract

The emergence and maintenance of maternal behavior are under the influence of environmental cues such as light and dark periods. This article discusses the characteristic neurobiology of the behavioral patterns of lactating rats. Specifically, the hormonal basis and neurocircuits that determine whether mother rats show typical sequential patterns of behavioral responses are discussed. During lactation, rats express a sequential pattern of behavioral parameters that may be determined by hormonal variations. Sensorial signals emitted by pups, as well as environmental cues, are suggested to serve as conditioned stimuli for these animals. Finally, the expression of maternal behavior is discussed under neuroeconomic and evolutionary perspectives. (AU)