Differential effects of short- and long-term early maternal separation on subsequent maternal behavior in rats

Female Sprague-Dawley pups were separated from mothers every other day for 8 hr (long-term separation/LTS), 4 hr (short-term separation/STS), or 0 hr (no separation/NS) from postnatal day 2-20. In adulthood, they were mated and tested for maternal behaviors during two lactations. It was expected that females separated from mothers as pups would show deficits in maternal behavior as adults. Contrary to expectations, LTS showed better nest building and grouped young faster during both lactations. LTS were first to display aggression and displayed more aggression during the second lactation. Notably, while some measures decreased from first to second lactation in NS and STS, LTS maintained levels of maternal care. These results suggest that extended periods of maternal separation may exaggerate some aspects of maternal behavior.