Open-field thigmotaxis during various phases of the reproductive cycle

Three experiments were conducted on female Swiss albino mice in order to determine whether open-field (OF) ambulation and thigmotaxis (wall-seeking) alter both as functions of reproductive phases such as estrus, mating, gestation, partus, lactation, weaning, as well as of presence, absence and OF location of a newborn pup. The results revealed increased thigmotaxis as an effect of estrus (p < 0.001). From mating to one month postpartum a growing tendency towards maternal occupation of centre OF partitions was observed. Maternal ambulation reached its peak two days before partus but dropped to its lowest level during the lactation period at which time the mice were the least wall-seeking. Ambulation was enhanced (p < 0.001) in the presence of a pup regardless of OF starting point and the pup's placement. However, when the mouse dam was initially placed together with the pup by the OF wall, she hardly penetrated centre units at all.