Abstract
Using a dual-chambered maternity cage the time that a lactating rat spent with its litter was recorded continuously from birth of the litter until weaning. Under a 12-hr light-dark regimen there was a precise 24-hr rhythm in maternal behaviour; the greatest amount of time with the litter occurring during the middle of the light period and the least amount of time occurring during the period of darkness. The cycle was independent of litter size and the absolute magnitude of the time spent with the litter which decreased over the 21-day observation period. Animals rearing litters under an LD:6 schedule also showed a 24-hr maternal behaviour rhythm. Animals maintained under an LD:12 schedule but transferred to continuous light when pregnant and animals maintained for two generations under constant light showed a free-running maternal behaviour rhythm with a period of approximately 24 hr.
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