The Influence of Immune Cells on Maternal Behavior
Changes in the immune system during pregnancy, specifically the decrease of immune cells known as microglia, may contribute to the onset of maternal behavior. Depletion of microglia in female rats, who typically dislike being around offspring, led to accelerated care for newborn rats placed in their cages. This behavior change correlated with shifts in neuron activity in various brain regions, indicating that immune function alterations might regulate maternal behavior. The research challenges the conventional understanding that hormones primarily drive maternal behavior, emphasizing the importance of immune changes.