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Behavioral and physiological responses to maternal separation in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).
S G Wiener1, F Bayart, K F Faull
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305-5095.
Behavioral Neuroscience
|February 1, 1990
Summary
Infant squirrel monkeys show stress responses in behavior, cortisol, and brain chemicals when separated from mothers. Isolation causes the most significant physiological and vocal changes, indicating a heightened stress response.
Area of Science:
- Primatology
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Infant separation from mothers can induce significant stress responses.
- Previous research has focused on behavioral and pituitary-adrenal axes.
- The impact on central monoamine systems requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the central monoamine metabolite responses in infant squirrel monkeys during maternal separation.
- To correlate behavioral and physiological stress indicators with central neurochemical changes.
- To examine the effects of different environmental conditions on these responses.
Main Methods:
- Infant squirrel monkeys were separated from mothers for 24 hours under Home, adjacent, or total isolation conditions.
- Behavioral observations included spectrographic analysis of vocalizations.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples were analyzed for monoamine metabolites and cortisol levels.
Main Results:
- Vocalizations varied significantly across conditions, with peak frequency and multiple calls highest in total isolation.
- Plasma cortisol levels showed a clear gradient: total > adjacent > home.
- CSF catecholamine metabolites (3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol and homovanillic acid) were elevated, with total isolation > adjacent > baseline.
Conclusions:
- Maternal separation induces measurable changes in central monoamine metabolism in infant squirrel monkeys.
- Environmental conditions significantly modulate the behavioral, endocrine, and neurochemical stress responses.
- These findings contribute to understanding coping mechanisms and stress physiology in primates.