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Maternal activity, anxiety, and protectiveness during moderate nutrient restriction in captive baboons ( Papio sp.)
Author(s) -
Light Lydia E. O.,
Bartlett Thad Q.,
Poyas Annica,
Nijland Mark J.,
Huber Hillary F.,
Li Cun,
Keenan Kate,
Nathanielsz Peter W.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/jmp.12350
Subject(s) - anxiety , pregnancy , lactation , physiology , biology , medicine , psychiatry , genetics
Background We hypothesized that maternal nutrient restriction ( NR ) would increase activity and behavioral indicators of anxiety (self‐directed behaviors, SDB s) in captive baboons ( Papio sp.) and result in more protective maternal styles. Methods Our study included 19 adult female baboons. Seven females ate ad libitum (control group), and eight females ate 30% less ( NR group) and were observed through pregnancy and lactation. Results Control females engage in higher rates of SDB than NR females overall ( P ≤ .018) and during the prenatal period ( P ≤ .001) and engage in more aggressive behavior ( P ≤ .033). Control females retrieved infants more than NR females during weeks 5‐8 postpartum ( P ≤ .019). Conclusions Lower SDB rates among prenatal NR females reduce energy expenditure and increase available resources for fetal development when nutritionally restricted. Higher infant retrieval rates by controls may indicate more infant independence rather than maternal style differences.