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Published on: September 3, 2015
Variations in maternal behavior in rats selected for infant ultrasonic vocalization in isolation
Susan A Brunelli1, James P Curley2, Kathryn Gudsnuk2
1Department of Psychiatry, Developmental Neuroscience, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Maternal care differences influence offspring anxiety. Selective breeding for ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in rats created lines with distinct maternal behaviors and anxiety levels, highlighting genetic and environmental interactions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Genetics
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Individual differences in maternal care impact offspring physiology and behavior across generations.
- High-LG rat dams exhibit specific maternal behaviors linked to offspring stress responses.
- Selective breeding can induce stable, multigenerational changes in behavior and physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate generational and developmental influences on anxiety using a rat model.
- To compare maternal behaviors and neurochemistry in selectively bred rat lines (High-USV and Low-USV).
- To determine if breeding for ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) parallels known maternal behavior differences.
Main Methods:
- Developed two rat lines selectively bred for high (High-USV) or low (Low-USV) ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) at postnatal day 10.
- Assessed maternal behaviors (nursing, pup-licking) in High-USV and Low-USV dams.
- Quantified oxytocin and vasopressin receptor density in dams' brains.
Main Results:
- High-USV rats exhibit increased anxiety- and depression-like behaviors compared to Low-USV rats.
- Low-USV dams displayed higher frequencies of high-arched nursing and pup-licking than High-USV dams.
- Oxytocin and vasopressin receptor differences were localized to the piriform cortex and nucleus accumbens, not widespread.
Conclusions:
- Selective breeding for USV rates influences maternal behavior and offspring anxiety.
- Maternal behaviors in Low-USV dams resemble those of High-LG dams.
- Genetically determined factors (USV line) and environmental factors (maternal care) interact to shape anxiety phenotypes.
