Is rat-dam licking behavior regulated by pups’ preputial gland secretion?

Abstract

Anogenitallieking (AGL) is crucial for pups' survival; nonlieked pups cannot defecate, and they die. A cotton swab impregnated with anogenitalsmears was investigated and the odorous testbox containing it was sniffed by virgins and adult males as weH as by dams. When the pups' heads were rubbed with anogenital smears and the perineal area cleaned, the dams lieked only the heads. The same results were obtained with a lipidic extraet from pups' preputial glands. Chromatographie analysis of that extract showed the same peaks as those obtained from anogenital smears and thus eonfirmed preputial glands as the source ofthe attractant. Without pups' preputial glands, AGL did not disappear, but it was disrupted. Some pups were never lieked, and died; median lieking time increased from 14.5 (control) to 20 sec. Preputial secretions were designated as a regulating factor of AGL. What may induce AGL in the absence of pups' preputial gland seeretion is diseussed.

Neonatal social isolation alters both maternal and pup behaviors in rats

“…The same result was attained by exposing dams to dodecyl propionate (DP) (Brouette-Lahlou et al, 1991a). DP is a secretion from the preputial gland found in pup urine that not only elicits licking behavior but acts as a general attractant to the dam, regulates licking time, and allows her to distinguish between pups that have been licked and those that have not (Brouette-Lahlou, Vernet-Maury, & Chanel, 1991b;Moore & Samonte, 1986). Without this olfactory cue, dams showed disorganized anogenital licking and, as a result, pup mortality rose (BrouetteLahlou et al, 1992).…”

Maternal care affects the development of maternal behavior in inbred mice

“…Several sensory stimuli emitted by pups have been reported to regulate the maternal behavior of mothers. Ultrasonic calls by pups can modulate pup retrieving (Allin & Banks, 1972;Noirot, 1972;Smotherman, Bell, Starzec, Elias, & Zachman, 1974) and anogenital licking (Brouette-Lahlou, Vernet-Maury, & Vigouroux, 1992), and olfactory cues from pups are involved in the induction of anogenital licking (Brouette-Lahlou, Vernet-Maury, & Chanel, 1991) in rats and mice. Moreover, suckling stimulation of pups regulates various postures during nursing in rats (Stern, 1996;Stern & Johnson, 1990;Stern & Keer, 2002).…”

Roles of sex and gonadal steroids in mammalian pheromonal communication

“…Sex differences in the chemical composition of rat urine have been attributed to the presence in males of preputial glands, which are 'organized' during fetal life in response to the action of testosterone (Brouette-Lahlou et al, 1991). Lactating rat mothers spend more time displaying ano-genital licking of male vs. female pups in response to pheromones from the preputial glands that are incorporated into the male's urine (Moore and Samonte, 1986).…”