# ENDOCRINE REGULATION OF MATERNAL BEHAVIOR

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON · 1994 · $188,903

## Abstract

The research in this proposal examines the role of the endocrine and
nervous systems in the regulation of maternal behavior.  Recently, we
demonstrated a central site of action for prolactin (PRL) in the
induction of maternal behavior in female rats.  In a series of studies
using a rat model we propose to delineate the role of PRL and critically
evaluate the possible contribution of the conceptus through its secretion
of placental lactogens to the onset and maintenance of maternal care.
The central hypothesis tested is that The Onset and Maintenance of
Maternal Care Are Regulated Through Common Prolactinergic (Lactogenic)
Mechanisms.  The first set of studies will define the minimal dose of PRL
needed to stimulate the onset of maternal care when infused into the
medial preoptic area and clarify the roles of estradiol and progesterone
in PRL's central action.  A second series of experiments will determine
the neural specificity of PRL's action.  Next, we will evaluate the
biochemical specificity of lactogenic regulation of maternal behavior.
The role of rat placental lactogens (rPLs) in the induction of maternal
behavior will be assessed by quantifying lactogen concentrations in
cerebrospinal fluid during pregnancy and lactation and then measuring the
behavioral effects of grafting rPL-secreting, choriocarcinoma (Rcho-I)
cells beneath the renal capsule.  the effects of direct central infusions
of rPL-I and rPL-II on maternal behavior will then be measured, and the
possible central actions of nonlactogenic hormones on maternal behavior
evaluated.  In order to identify neural PRL receptor sites, monoclonal
antibodies to the PRL receptor will be biotin-labeled and possible
central sites of lactogenic action localized by immunocytochemistry.  The
involvement of PRL in ongoing maternal care will then be examined in
lactating rats.  Finally, the possibility that an "up-regulation" or
increased sensitivity of a neural lactogenic system develops during the
postpartum period will be evaluated.  The results of these studies will
increase our understanding of the biochemical and neural regulation of
maternal care in mammals and provide a basis for evaluating the effects
of endocrine and neurochemical imbalances on mother-young interactions.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2197873
- **Project number:** 5R01HD019789-10
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY BOSTON
- **SAM.gov UEI:** C1F5LNUF7W86
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT STAFFORD BRIDGES
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $188,903
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1990-09-01 → 1997-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2197873

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2197873, ENDOCRINE REGULATION OF MATERNAL BEHAVIOR (5R01HD019789-10). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2197873. Licensed CC0.

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