Parental care

PARENTAL CARE

Maternal care

Placenta is the major pathway for intersection of mother with the fetus. The behavioral development in fetus is influenced my mother due to following:

  • neuro endocrine changes.
  • Ingestion of chemicals / drugs affecting the developing brain.
  • Altered circulation through the placenta.
  • Altered maternal diet.

Birth

  • The hormones regulating pregnancy and parturition are same in most of the mammals like estrogen, progesterone and prolactin. However, in animals like chimpanzees, progesterone does not reduce as it does in other primates.

Post-partum

  • Vocalization, olfactory stimuli and infant activity regulate the interactions between the offspring and mother. Though lactation is dependent on prolactin and milk let down is dependent of oxytocin, the performance of nursing behavior does not depend on all these hormones.

Maternal attachment

This is being carried out by the following:

  • licking
  • nursing
  • vision
  • audition

Imprinting

  • It is the special form of filial attachment occurring during a precise and sensitive period. ( eg. For few hours after hatching in some species of birds.)

Maternal aggression

  • Most common behavior observed.
  • Eg- Attack of gaur on carnivores attempting to predate on the young ones or calves.
  • The pregnant and lactating wild animals exhibit intense aggressive behavior.

Alloparenting

  • It means the care taking of an infant by individuals other than the mother. This means the aunting behaviour. Mostly the close relatives are involved with this type of behavior.
Last modified: Thursday, 26 April 2012, 5:46 AM