Olfactory, thermal, and tactile controls of suckling in preauditory and previsual rats.

Authors:
  • MTMartin H. Teicher
    Martin H. Teicher
  • CCCatherine P. Cramer
    Catherine P. Cramer
  • JBJohn P. Bruno
    John P. Bruno
  • WHWarren G. Hall
    Warren G. Hall
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Abstract
Determined exteroceptive control of nipple attachment in Sprague-Dawley rats and their litters by altering maternal sensory features. Preauditory and previsual pups, 2, 5, 8, and 11 days of age, were permitted to locate and attach to the nipples of their anesthetized mother after she had received one of the following treatments: (a) thermal--peripheral temperature was lowered to either 31 or 28|C; (b) tactile--the mother was shaved; (c) thermotactile--the mother was shaved and her skin temperature was lowered to 31|C; or (d) olfactory--all nipples were cleaned with methylene chloride and alcohol solvents. Only the olfactory treatment severely affected nipple attachment at all ages studied. Washing the nipples virtually eliminated suckling; painting them with a vacuum distillate of the nipple extract or of pup saliva reinstated suckling. The other manipulations either did not interfere with nipple attachment or did so at one age only. (42 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)