Exp Neurobiol.  2017 Dec;26(6):390-398. 10.5607/en.2017.26.6.390.

Maternal Separation Does Not Produce a Significant Behavioral Change in Mice

• Tan S
• Ho HS
• Song AY
• Low J
• Je HS

• KMID: 2398427
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5607/en.2017.26.6.390

Abstract

Early life adversities together with genetic predispositions have been associated with elevated risks of neuropsychiatric disorders during later life. In order to investigate the underlying mechanisms, many chronic, early-life stress paradigms in multiple animal models have been developed. Previously, studies reported that maternal separation (MS) in the early postnatal stages triggers depression-and/or anxiety-like behaviors in rats. However, similar studies using mice have reported inconsistent behavioral outcomes. In this study, we sought to assess behavioral outcomes from two different early-life stress paradigms; a conventional 3-hour MS and a maternal separation with early weaning (MSEW) paradigm using C57BL/6J male mice with independent cohorts. Our data demonstrated that both MS and MSEW paradigms did not produce reported behavioral anomalies. Therefore, MS paradigms in mice require further validation and modification.

Keyword

Early-life stress; Maternal separation; Maternal separation with early weaning; Depression; Anxiety; Emotional memories

MeSH Terms

Animals
Anxiety
Cohort Studies
Depression
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Humans
Male
Mice*
Models, Animal
Rats
Weaning