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Maternal aggression in mice: The non‐specific nature of the exteroceptive maintenance by young
Author(s) -
Svare Bruce
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
aggressive behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.223
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1098-2337
pISSN - 0096-140X
DOI - 10.1002/1098-2337(1979)5:4<417::aid-ab2480050407>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - aggression , litter , developmental psychology , psychology , lactation , wire mesh , medicine , biology , ecology , pregnancy , genetics , materials science , composite material
Five hours of pup removal during early lactation (Postpartum Day 6) reduced maternal aggression in mice, while placement of the dam's entire litter (six pups) or a single pup behind a double wire mesh partition in the homecage maintained aggression at a level identical to that of mothers in direct contact with their young. When placed behind the partition, unfamiliar 6, 13, and 20‐day‐old pups, but not 30‐day‐old mice, maintained the behavior as effectively as the dam's own young. The relationship of the findings to communal rearing conditions in the mouse is discussed.