The researchers found that signalling by the hormone prolactin to its receptors in a specific brain region was essential for mothers to show vitally important maternal nurturing behaviour. Photo: Getty ImagesThe same hormone that stimulates milk production also helps establish the nurturing link between mother and baby, new University of Otago research has found. The research team at the university's Centre for Neuroendocrinology deleted targeted prolactin receptors in the preoptic area of the brains of adult female mice. Study co-author Dr Rosie Brown said the team observed that mice without prolactin receptors were able to get pregnant and give birth normally, but abandoned their litters about 24 hours after birth. The researchers found that signalling by the hormone prolactin to its receptors in a specific brain region was essential for mothers to show vitally important maternal nurturing behaviour towards their young.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 26, 2017 01:07 UTC