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Adult‐litter relations in rats reared in single and dual‐chambered cages
Author(s) -
Plaut S. Michael
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420070203
Subject(s) - litter , zoology , adult male , biology , aunt , food consumption , water consumption , ecology , endocrinology , art , environmental engineering , agricultural economics , engineering , economics , art history
BLU:(LE) rats were reared in cages which allowed movement of adults, but not pups, between 2 chambers. Some were reared in cages containing a virgin female (aunt) in addition to the mother. Although prenatal preferences for location and food and water consumption were for the side on which the litter was eventually delivered and reared, most postnatal food and water consumption occurred on the nonlitter side. Adult‐litter contact decreased from 90% of Day 1 to 40% of Day 21, decreasing more rapidly during the dark hours. Presence of aunts increased activity of mothers, but did not affect adult‐litter contact. Pups in the dual cages displayed higher rates of solid food consumption at age 17 days and lower brain weights at 21 days than pups in single cages.