Rat pup social motivation: A critical component of early psychological development
Examining the role of the offspring in early social dynamics is especially difficult. Human developmental psychology has found infant behavior to be a vital part of the early environmental setting. In the rodent model, the different ways that a rodent neonate or pup can influence social dynamics are not well known. Typically, litters of neonates […]
Genetic, epigenetic and environmental impact on sex differences in social behavior
The field of behavioral neuroendocrinology has generated thousands of studies that indicate differences in brain structure and reactivity to gonadal steroids that produce sex-specific patterns of social behavior. However, rapidly emerging evidence shows that genetic polymorphisms and resulting differences in the expression of neuroactive peptides and receptors as well as early-life experience and epigenetic changes […]
Experience-facilitated improvements in pup retrieval; evidence for an epigenetic effect
The quality and quantity of maternal care received during infancy are highly predictive of successful infant development. It has been well established, primarily in rats, that the combination of hormonal and infant stimuli at birth modifies neural circuits that regulate maternal responsiveness. During subsequent interactions, infant stimuli are more likely to elicit rapid maternal responsiveness. […]
Behaviour epigenetics – The connection between environment, stress and welfare
Epigenetics refers to chemical modifications of DNA, which do not change the base-pair sequence. This involves, for example, methylation of cytosine and different alterations in histone chemistry. Such modifications affect how genes are expressed and can occur as a response to stress, mediated by steroid hormones. Hence, the coordination of how genes are expressed, the […]
The role of genes, epigenetics and ontogeny in behavioural development
This review focuses on the role of genes, epigenetics and ontogeny in behavioural development of animals. The behavioural characteristics of an individual are determined by its genes and by its physical and social environment. Not only the individual’s early life and current environment are of importance, but also the environment of previous generations. Through epigenetic […]