Behavioral and adrenocortical responses of rhesus macaque mothers to infant separation in an unfamiliar environment

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The behavioral and adrenocortical responses of rhesus macaque mothers to a series of four consecutive 4-day separations from their 5-month old infants in an unfamiliar environment were examined. A biphasic behavioral response to separation was observed, with passive behavior, locomotion, and vocalization highest on Day 1 of separation, and self-directed behaviors and environmental exploration peaking during Days 2-4. Stereotyped locomotion increased, and passive behavior decreased, across successive weeks of separation. The rhesus mothers exhibited substantial cortisol elevations one and two hours postseparation, with cortisol decreasing on the fourth day of separation. The cortisol response was strongest during the first week of separation, but robust elevations occurred in response to repeated separations. No signs of behavioral depression were observed. The results indicate that infant separation combined with removal to a novel environment can be a potent stressor for rhesus macaque mothers.

Variation in the emission rate of sounds in a captive group of false killer whales Pseudorca crassidens during feedings: possible food anticipatory vocal activity?

“…Such signals are made in the wild as well as in captivity (Mulligan et al, 1994;Grandin, 1998;Panksepp and Burgdorf, 2000;Burgdorf and Panksepp, 2001;Manteuff el et al, 2004;Burman et al, 2007). In fact, it has been found that sound rates, type of calls, and acoustic structure within a call may vary depending on the context of behaviors such as aggression, panic, and social separation (rodents: Goldstein et al, 1996;Albeck et al, 1997;primates: Bayart et al, 1990;Champoux and Suomi, 1994;Friedman et al, 1995;Laudenslager et al, 1995;Boinski et al, 1999;farm animals: von Borell and Ladewig, 1992;Désautés et al, 1997;Weary et al, 1997). Animals living in a controlled environment with predictable daily routines, experience anticipation which is a mental state that can infl uence their behaviors including vocalizations (Krishnamurthy, 1994;Knutson et al, 1998;Burgdorf et al, 2000;Waitt and Buchanan-Smith, 2001;Ulyan et al, 2006;Düpjan et al, 2008;Gilbert-Norton et al, 2009;Polizzi di Sorrentino et al, 2010).…”

Terrestrial predator alarm vocalizations are a valid monitor of stress in captive brown capuchins (Cebus apella)

“…It is surprising that vocal behavior is so poorly incorporated into animal welfare evaluations in zoos and research colonies. First, an extensive literature documents that vocalization rate, types of vocalization, and acoustic structure within a call type may vary with stressful contexts, such as aggression, panic, social separation, and levels of stress hormones among rodents [Goldstein et al, 1996;Blanchard et al, 1997], primates [Bayart et al, 1990;Champoux and Suomi, 1994;Laudenslager et al, 1995;Friedman et al, 1995] and pigs [von Borell and Ladewig, 1992;Désautés et al, 1997;Weary et al, 1997]. Second, vocal indices of animal welfare are already commonly exploited in food animal research to minimize distress during slaughter [Warris et al, 1994;Grandin, 1998], castration [White et al, 1993;Weary et al, 1998], branding [SchwartzkopfGenswein et al, 1997, and weaning [Cockram et al, 1993].…”

Empty Nest: A Case Study of Maternal Response to Separation From a Juvenile Offspring in a Captive Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus abelii)

“…The few studies that have examined the maternal response to separation in monkeys found that mothers display signs of protest but relatively few or no signs of despair (Champoux & Suomi, 1994;Hinde & Davies, 1972;Jensen, 1968;Kaplan, 1970;Vogt & Levine, 1980). In the only published report of maternal response to separation in great apes, Bloomsmith et al (1988) observed little evidence of protest and no sign of despair in chimpanzee mothers after the removal of their infants.…”

“…In the only published report of maternal response to separation in great apes, Bloomsmith et al (1988) observed little evidence of protest and no sign of despair in chimpanzee mothers after the removal of their infants. In most studies of the maternal response to infant separation in monkeys, the separated infant was younger than 8 months (Champoux & Suomi, 1994;Mendoza et al, 1978;Stanton & Levine, 1985;Vogt & Levine, 1980). In most studies of the maternal response to infant separation in monkeys, the separated infant was younger than 8 months (Champoux & Suomi, 1994;Mendoza et al, 1978;Stanton & Levine, 1985;Vogt & Levine, 1980).…”

“…However, available data suggest that the maternal response might be somewhat different from infant response. These behaviors often are accompanied by physiological stress, measured by increased levels of cortisol (Champoux & Suomi, 1994;Coe, Glass, Wiener, & Levine, 1983;Laudenslager, Held, Boccia, Reite, & Cohen, 1990;Mendoza, Smotherman, Miner, Kaplan, & Levine, 1978;Vogt & Levine, 1980). These behaviors often are accompanied by physiological stress, measured by increased levels of cortisol (Champoux & Suomi, 1994;Coe, Glass, Wiener, & Levine, 1983;Laudenslager, Held, Boccia, Reite, & Cohen, 1990;Mendoza, Smotherman, Miner, Kaplan, & Levine, 1978;Vogt & Levine, 1980).…”