Olfactory bulbectomy and nursing behavior in rat pups (Wistar DAB)

Abstract

To determine whether bilateral olfactory bulbectomy led to a change in nursing behavior, and thus death, we bilaterally bulbectomized (BX) pups from 14 litters at 2, 7, and 11 days of age. Litters treated on Days 2 and 7 consisted of 3 BX pups, 2 surgical control (SC) pups, and 2 handling control (HC) pups. Litters treated on Day 11 consisted of 1 or 2 BX, 1 or 2 incompletely bulbectomized pups (IBX), 2 SC pups, and 2 HC pups. These litters and 3 additional nontreated litters were observed on Days 4,7,10,13, and 16. A smaller number of BX pups survived through Day 10 than SC, HC, IBX, and nontreated pups. Differential treatment of the BX pups by females or littermates was not found. The females' mammary glands were functional but the BX pup stomachs had little or no milk. The BX pups spent less time nursing and more time away from the female and their littermates than did the other pups.

PIP: The effect of olfactory bulbectomy in nursing behavior was studied in rat pups (Wistar DAB). Pups from letters letters were bilaterally bublectomized (BX) at 2, 7, and 11 days of age. Those treated on Days 2 and 7 consisted of 3 BX pups, 2 surgical control (SC) pups, and 2 handling control (HC) pups. Those treated on Day 11 consisted of 1 or 2 BX, 1 or 2 incompletely bulbectomized pups (IBX), 2 SC pups, and 2 HC pups. These and 3 additional nontreated letters were observed on Days 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16. Fewer BX pups survived through Day 10 than SC, HC, IBX, and nontreated pups. Differential treatment of the BX pups by females or littermates was not seen. Mammary glands of the females were functional but the BX pup stomachs had little or no milk. BX pups spent less time nursing and more time away from the female and their littermates than did the other pups. The survival may be improved if the olfactory bulbectomy were performed at a later age because animals have more days of nursing experience in a normal situation and because they may be able to compensate for the lass of olfaction with the use of another sensory system.