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maternal behavior

·July 19, 2023·6 min read

Motherly Love? Immune System Changes May Play a Role

Changes in the immune system during pregnancy, specifically the decrease of immune cells known as microglia, may contribute to the onset of maternal behavior. Depletion of microglia in female rats, who typically dislike being around offspring, led to accelerated care for newborn rats placed in their cages.

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·November 8, 2022·4 min read

Neuronal Mechanism Involved in the Learning of Maternal Behavior Discovered

Female mice who have not been pregnant or given birth show activation in the anterior cingulate cortex when they acquire maternal behaviors after exposure to pups. The findings reveal through repeated exposure to pups, virgin female mice are capable of learning maternal behaviors that resemble those of mothers following birth.

This shows a cartoon of a mouse and a diagram of clocks next to plates

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 24, 2022·4 min read

While the Fetal Clock Develops, Mom’s Behavior Tells the Time

Maternal biological rhythms support the development of the fetal suprachiasmatic nuclei.

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·March 24, 2022·3 min read

Maternal Protective Behaviors Run Deep

Neuron activity in the locus coeruleus spikes when a mother mouse touches her pup to retrieve it.

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·February 21, 2022·4 min read

Hormone Found to Regulate Mothers’ Behavior

Prolactin, a hormone responsible for milk production in mothers, reduces a mother's investment in aggressive behaviors and helps to increase protective behaviors.

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·February 6, 2022·3 min read

Discovery of a Novel Role for an Elusive Brain Region in Maternal Behaviors in Mice

Researchers have identified a novel role for hormone-sensitive neurons in the Edinger Westphal nucleus which are essential for maternal nesting behaviors in mice.