Date of Award
8-2007
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Craig Kinsley
Second Advisor
Dr. Cindy Bukach
Third Advisor
Dr. Kelly Lambert
Abstract
Reproductive experience induces changes in females. Parity-related differences in maternal treatment of offspring can induce enduring changes in offspring. The relationships between maternal experience, early social isolation, and development were explored in rodents in this experiment. Male rats were weaned from multiparous (MP) and primiparous (PP) mothers and placed into isolation or social housing for four weeks. They were then observed in a social-interaction test. Social behavior and neural oxytocin and vasopressin were assessed post-testing, while corticosterone levels were measured across the four weeks. Weaning was extremely stressful for all offspring. PP- and MP-raised pups exhibited differences in social behavior, and trends towards different hormonal and neural profiles. The isolation paradigm was examined in a multidimensional fashion, revealing novel and provocative associations. This study further clarified some of the many ways that offspring development may be altered.
Recommended Citation
Christon, Lillian Maria, "Intricacies of development : the impact of maternal experience and isolation on the social development of juvenile male rats" (2007). Master's Theses. 684.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/masters-theses/684