ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Key words Acetylcholine
;
Maternal behavior
;
Olfactory learning
;
Sheep
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Within a 4-h period after parturition, the ewe learns the odor of her lamb that will later allow recognition of her offspring from an alien lamb. This study investigated the involvement of the cholinergic system in this olfactory learning. At parturition and 2 h later, ewes received IM injections of saline (C group, n = 21), scopolamine methylbromide (METSCOP group, 100 μg/kg, n = 14) a peripherally acting muscarinic antagonist, a low dose of scopolamine hydrobromide (SCOP32 group, 32 μg/kg, n = 15) or a higher dose of scopolamine hydrobromide (SCOP100 group, 100 μg/kg, n = 18). Maternal behavior was observed at parturition and selective behavior was tested after 4 h of mother-young contact. No differences in maternal behavior at parturition were found between groups. By contrast, the proportion of ewes showing selectivity was significantly lower in the SCOP100 group (7/18) than in the METSCOP group (12/14, P = 0.01), SCOP32 group (12/15, P = 0.03), or C group (17/21, P = 0.01). In addition, saline-treated ewes, after having established their selective bond, received 100 μg/kg scopolamine and were again tested for selectivity 20 min later. Only one out of the 17 tested ewes failed to recognize their lambs after this treatment. These results indicate that intact central muscarinic transmission of the brain is required for the learning of individual lamb odor at parturition but not for the recall of this information.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s002130050166
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