Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Porcine maternal infanticide as a model for puerperal psychosis
Claire R Quilter1, Sarah C Blott, Anna E Wilson
1Human Molecular Genetics Group, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK. crq20@cam.ac.uk
Insights
Researchers identified four quantitative trait loci (QTL) in pigs linked to maternal aggression, specifically infanticide. This animal model research offers insights into the genetic basis of severe postnatal psychiatric disorders in humans.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Animal Behavior
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Childbirth involves significant biological and psychological changes.
- Postnatal psychiatric disorders range from mild 'baby blues' to severe puerperal psychosis.
- Puerperal psychosis affects approximately 1 in 1,000 births.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize the pig as an animal model for human postnatal psychiatric illness.
- To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with maternal aggression (infanticide) in sows.
- To pinpoint chromosomal regions linked to abnormal maternal behavior.
Main Methods:
- An affected sib pair whole genome linkage analysis was performed.
- Eighty microsatellite markers were used across 18 porcine autosomes and the X chromosome.
- The non-parametric linkage test (Whittemore and Halpern) in Merlin software was applied.
Main Results:
- Four QTL were identified, mapping to Sus scrofa chromosomes 2 (SSC2), 10 (SSC10), and X (SSCX).
- Peak QTL regions are syntenic to human chromosomal regions HSA 5q14.3-15, 1q32, Xpter-Xp2.1, and Xq2.4-Xqter.
- Several candidate genes within these regions may contribute to the abnormal behavior.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully identified QTL associated with infanticide in sows, serving as a model for human postnatal psychiatric conditions.
- These findings provide a genetic basis for understanding severe maternal aggression.
- The identified QTL regions and candidate genes warrant further investigation for their role in human psychiatric disorders.
Abstract:
Childbirth is a period of substantial rapid biological and psychological change and a wide range of psychotic disorders can occur ranging from mild 'baby blues' to severe episodes of psychotic illnesses. Puerperal psychosis is the most extreme form of postnatal psychosis, occurring in 1 in 1,000 births. In this study, we have used the pig as an animal model for human postnatal psychiatric illness. Our aim was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with maternal (infanticide) sow aggression. This is defined by sows attacking and killing their own newborn offspring, within 24 hr of birth. An affected sib pair whole genome linkage analysis was carried out with 80 microsatellite markers covering the 18 porcine autosomes and the X chromosome, with the aim of identifying chromosomal regions responsible for this abnormal behavior. Analysis was carried out using the non-parametric linkage test of Whittemore and Halpern, as implemented in the Merlin software. The results identified 4 QTL mapping on Sus scrofa chromosomes 2 (SSC2), 10 (SSC10), and X (SSCX). The peak regions of these QTL are syntenic to HSA 5q14.3-15, 1q32, Xpter-Xp2.1, and Xq2.4-Xqter, respectively. Several potential candidate genes lie in these regions in addition to relevant abnormal behavioral QTL, found in humans and rodents.
