Intact neurons of the lateral habenular nucleus are necessary for the nonhormonal, pup-mediated display of maternal behavior in sensitized virgin female rats
Tm. Felton et al., Intact neurons of the lateral habenular nucleus are necessary for the nonhormonal, pup-mediated display of maternal behavior in sensitized virgin female rats, BEHAV NEURO, 112(6), 1998, pp. 1458-1465
Our research has demonstrated that the lateral habenular nucleus (Lhb) is n
ecessary for the hormonal onset but not the postpartum maintenance of mater
nal behavior in the rat (K. P. Corodimas, J. S. Rosenblatt, & J. I. Morrell
, 1992; K. P. Corodimas, J. S. Rosenblatt, M. E. Canfield, & J. I. Morell,
1993; T. Matthews-Felton, K. P. Corodimas, J. S. Rosenblatt, & J. I. Morell
, 1995). To test the role of the Lhb in the nonhormonal onset of maternal b
ehavior, we used the sensitization model in which the continual exposure of
females to pups induces maternal behavior. Ovariectomized females received
bilateral cytotoxic lesions of neurons of either the Lhb or the dorsal med
ial cingulate cortex-hippocampus, or they were unoperated. Maternal behavio
r, activity, and oromotor carrying capability were tested. Complete lesions
of the neurons of the Lhb induced significant deficits in pup retrieval an
d nest building. Sniffing, licking, and crouching behaviors were unaltered.
Activity and carrying ability were normal. These results indicate a role f
or the Lhb that extends to the nonhormonally dependent onset of maternal be
havior, but they also indicate a more limited role than in the mediation of
the hormonal onset of the behavior.