The effect of pup presence and intruder behavior on maternal aggression in rats

Abstract

Maternal aggression was not affected by a brief (1 min) interval of pup separation and was not dependent upon the behavior of male intruders. Dams’ latency to attack increased significantly within 4 h of pup removal. Duration of offense was decreased by 8 h of separation and all aggression was abolished after 24 h of separation. The results demonstrate that the short-term maintenance of maternal aggression does not depend on pup stimulation or the behavior of male intruders. Maternal aggression decreases systematically, however, when pups are absent for longer intervals.