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Cholecystokinin receptor antagonists increase the rat pup's preference toward maternal-odor and rug texture
1Developmental Psychobiology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Insights
The cholecystokinin (CCK) system plays a role in infant rat preferences for maternal stimuli. Blocking CCK receptors increased attraction to preferred olfactory and tactile cues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Biology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- The cholecystokinin (CCK) system is implicated in various physiological and behavioral processes.
- Infant attachment and preference for maternal stimuli are crucial for survival and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the CCK system in mediating infant rats' natural preferences for maternal-related olfactory and tactile stimuli.
- To determine if CCK receptor antagonists affect behavioral responses to these stimuli.
Main Methods:
- 11-12-day-old rat pups were administered selective CCK(A) and CCK(B) receptor antagonists (Devazepide and L-365,260).
- Preference tests were conducted using olfactory (maternal odor) and tactile (floor texture) stimuli.
- Behavioral responses, including time spent with preferred stimuli, were measured.
Main Results:
- Both CCK receptor antagonists significantly increased the time spent with preferred olfactory and tactile stimuli compared to controls.
- Antagonist administration did not affect axillary temperature or locomotor activity.
- These findings suggest CCK modulates attraction to innate maternal cues.
Conclusions:
- CCK signaling appears to play a role in attenuating infant rats' attraction to naturally preferred maternal stimuli.
- Targeting CCK receptors may influence social bonding and attachment behaviors.
Abstract:
The role of the cholecystokinin (CCK) system in mediating the infant's natural preferences toward maternal-related stimuli was examined by peripheral administration of selective CCK(A) and CCK(B) receptor antagonists (Devazepide and L-365,260, respectively) to 11-12-day-old rats and presenting them with a 3-minute preference test. In Experiment 1, the choice was between two floor textures, rug and plywood; the time spent on the relatively preferred side (rug) was measured. In Experiment 2, the odor of maternal faces emanated from one end of the test arena; time spent near that end was measured. These sensory stimuli were chosen as they represent olfactory and tactile aspects of the dam and nest. Compared to controls, both CCK receptor antagonists selectively increased the time spent on the preferred side, in both experiments, without affecting axillary temperature or locomotor activity. The results suggest that CCK may mediate and attenuate the infant's attraction toward naturally preferred stimuli.