Abstract
The pregnancy-induced increase in self-licking observed in rats is important for mammary gland development and lactation. Reproductive experience has epidemiologial implications such as a decrease in the incidence of mammary gland cancer in women and it also influences various behavioral, neurochemical and endocrine parameters. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of reproductive experience on grooming behavior patterns during pregnancy in rats. Self-grooming behavior was measured in age-matched virgin, primi- and multigravid (days 7, 8, 9, 19, and 20 of pregnancy) rats. General grooming (head, forelimbs and shoulders) was not significantly different among virgin, primi- and multigravid rats during pregnancy. Confirming previous work, pregnant rats spent significantly more time in specific grooming (mammary glands, nipple lines, genital and pelvic regions) than did virgin animals. In addition, self- licking of mammary glands was significantly increased in multi- as compared to primigravid rats on days 8, 9, 19 and 20 of pregnancy. The increase in mammary gland grooming observed in multigravid rats appears to be a consequence of previous reproductive experience. These data show that reproductive experience modulates mammary gland grooming during pregnancy, possibly contributing to successful reproduction.
Highlights
A multigravid one (second pregnancy), a primigravid one (first pregnancy) and a group of virgin animals
A multigravid one, a primigravid one and a group of virgin animals
Forepaws, shoulders and upper back were recorded as general grooming, while nipple lines, genital and pelvic regions were considered as mammary gland and anogenital grooming
Summary
A multigravid one (second pregnancy), a primigravid one (first pregnancy) and a group of virgin animals. We hypothesized that a previous reproductive experience would influence the expression of grooming during pregnancy in rats. To test this hypothesis grooming patterns of virgin, primi- and multigravid rats were compared in age-matched female rats.
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Schedule a callMore From: Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas
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