Maternal Separation and Emotional Reactivity in Balb/C Mice

Abstract

9 litters of BALB/c mice were divided into 3 groups: (a) a maternal separation group placed in an incubator during separation, (b) a non-incubated separation group, and (c) a non-separated control group. Beginning 24 hr. after birth, the mothers of the separation groups were removed from their pups for 20 hr. per day for 18 consecutive days. At 50 days of age, all Ss were tested in an automated open field on 3 dependent measures, activity level, quadrants traversed, and defecation. The results were inconsistent with those of previous studies. It was concluded that no effect of maternal separation on adult patterns of emotional reactivity was demonstrated.