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Updated: Jan 28, 2026
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Detecting the Ligand-binding Domain Dimerization Activity of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Using the Mammalian Two-Hybrid Assay
Published on: December 19, 2018
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Estrogen receptor-alpha knockouts and maternal memory in nulliparous rats
J M Gallagher1, B C Nephew1, G Poirier2
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA 01536, United States of America.
Hormones and Behavior
|March 2, 2019
Summary
Estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) is not essential for establishing maternal care or memory in rats. However, Esr1 influences pup-directed behaviors during the reinduction of maternal care in female rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Endocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Maternal behavior is crucial for offspring survival and is influenced by hormonal factors.
- Estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) plays a significant role in various reproductive functions, but its specific role in maternal memory remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) in the establishment and retention of maternal memory in female rats.
- To compare the maternal care responses of Esr1 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) rats towards foster pups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Esr1 knockout (KO) and wild type (WT) nulliparous female rats.
- Assessed maternal care induction and retention responses to foster pups in home and novel cage environments.
- Measured latencies to respond to and retrieve/mouth pups.
Main Results:
- Both WT and Esr1 KO rats showed similar latencies to initiate maternal care and reinduction of maternal responsiveness.
- WT females exhibited shorter latencies to retrieve and mouth pups in a novel cage environment compared to Esr1 KO rats.
- Esr1 did not significantly affect the initial establishment or retention of maternal care and memory.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1) is not critical for the establishment or memory of maternal care in female rats.
- Esr1 may modulate specific pup-directed behaviors, influencing the reinduction of maternal care in a context-dependent manner.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which Esr1 influences maternal responsiveness.
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