Effects of litter age, litter size, and ambient temperature on the milk ejection reflex in lactating rats
Abstract
Under a number of circumstances the duration of mother‐young contact in the rat can be drastically reduced while pup growth is maintained. We investigated the possibility that under some of these conditions the timing of milk delivery is changed. We assessed the time of onset and pattern of milk delivery over a nest bout in litters of two different ages (Day 4 or Day 10) and three different sizes (4, 8, or 12 pups). Ambient temperature fluctuated over the course of the study and was found to correlate significantly with the latency to the first milk ejection (ME). Specifically, the warmer the ambient temperature, the quicker the first ME occurred. Durations between successive MEs correlated with ambient temperature in a similar fashion. Analysis of covariance revealed that the onset of the first ME occurred earlier in Day 10 litters than in Day 4 litters, but litter size had no effect. Durations between successive MEs were not affected by either litter age or litter size. These data indicate one possible mechanism by which adequate milk delivery can be maintained despite some reduction in motheryoung contact.
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The latency of the milk ejection reflex in lactating rats decreases at longer postpartum times.
“the latency of the milk ejection reflex in lactating rats decreases at longer postpartum times”
From Neuromodulation of maternal circuits by oxytocin (2019) · cites this paper as Jans and Woodside, 1987
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Fleming, A. S., Kraemer, G. W., Gonzalez, A., Lovic, V., Rees, S., & Melo, A. (2002) · Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior · doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(02)00793-1 · Cited by 203 · see citing works
Neuromodulation of maternal circuits by oxytocin
Valtcheva, S., & Froemke, R. C. (2019) · Cell and Tissue Research · doi:10.1007/s00441-018-2883-1 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
- Authors
- Jans, J. E., & Woodside, B.
- Affiliations
- Concordia University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Jans, James E.
- Venue
- Developmental Psychobiology
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 1987-05
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 333-344
- ISSN
- 0012-1630 (ISSN-L)
- 1098-2302
- OpenAlex
- W2120857547
- Cited by
- 21
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2024: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.70
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Developmental Psychobiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Infant Health and Development
- Keywords
- milk ejection reflex, lactation, litter size, ambient temperature, onset latency, nursing behavior, rats
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Animals, Animals, Suckling, Female, Lactation, Litter Size, Pregnancy, Rats, Inbred Strains, Temperature, Time Factors, Rats
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