Variation in the serotonin transporter genotype is associated with maternal restraint and rejection of infants: A nonhuman primate (Macaca mulatta) model

Abstract

Studies show that maternal behaviors are mediated by the bivariate serotonin transporter (5-HTT) genotype, although the findings are mixed, with some studies showing that mothers with the s allele exhibit increased maternal sensitivity, while other studies show that mothers with the s allele show decreased maternal sensitivity. Nonhuman primate studies offer increased control over extraneous variables and may contribute to a better understanding of the effects of the 5-HTT genotype on maternal sensitivity. This study assesses the influence of 5-HTT genotype variation on maternal sensitivity in parenting in 125 rhesus macaque mothers (Macaca mulatta) during the first three-months of their infants' lives, an age well before typical infants undergo weaning. Mothers were genotyped for the 5-HTT genotype and maternal behaviors were collected, including neglectfulness, sensitivity, and premature rejections during undisturbed social interactions. Results showed that mothers homozygous for the s allele rejected their infants the most and restrained their infants the least, an indication that mothers with the s allele are more likely to neglect their infants' psychological and physical needs. These findings suggest that, at an age when an infant's needs are based on warmth, security, and protection, mothers with an s allele exhibit less sensitive maternal behaviors. High rates of rejections and low rates of restraints are behaviors that typically characterize premature weaning and are inappropriate for their infant's young age. This study is an important step in understanding the etiology of variability in maternal warmth and care, and further suggests that maternal 5-HTT genotype should be examined in studies assessing genetic influences on variation in maternal sensitivity, and ultimately, mother-infant attachment quality.

Fig 1. Effects of maternal 5-HTT genotype on the frequency of maternal rejections of infants.

When compared to mothers that were homozygous for the L allele, mothers that were homozygous for the s allele exhibited higher rates of infant rejections (p = .03). Mothers that were homozygous for the L allele also exhibited fewer rejections, when compared to mothers that were heterozygous (p = .03). White bars indicate mothers that were homozygous for the L allele, gray bars indicate heterozygous mothers, and black bars indicate mothers that were homozygous for the s allele. Error bars are standard errors.

Fig 2. Effects of maternal 5-HTT genotype on the frequency of maternal restraints of infants.

When compared to heterozygous mothers and mothers that were homozygous for the s allele, mothers homozygous for the L allele exhibited the highest rates of maternal restraints (p = .02). Mothers that were homozygous for the L allele restraining their infants more, on average (p < .01), when compared to heterozygous mothers and mothers homozygous for the s allele (p < .03). Mothers that were homozygous for the s allele did not exhibit any restraints, indicating a robust effect with each addition of the s allele. White bars indicate mothers that were homozygous for the L allele, gray bars indicate heterozygous mothers, and black bars indicate mothers that were homozygous for the s allele. Error bars are standard errors.