The biology of mammalian parenting and its effect on offspring social development

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: James K Rilling, Emory University; Larry Young, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-08-15
• Publisher: Volgogradskii Gosudarstvennyi Universitet (Volgograd State University)
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1252723
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Вестник Волгоградского государственног... / Science Journal of Volgograd State University. History. Area Studies. International Relations
• ISSN: 1998-9938
• Volume: 345
• Issue: 6198
• Start Page: 771
• End Page: 776
• Grant/Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the support of a Positive Neuroscience Award from the John Templeton Foundation to J.K.R.; National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) R01MH096983 to L.J.Y.; and NIMH 1P50MH100023 to J.K.R. and L.J.Y.; as well as NIH OD P51OD11132 to the Yerkes National Primate Research Center during the writing of this manuscript.
• Keywords: OXYTOCIN RECEPTOR GENE; BEHAVIOR; Science & Technology - Other Topics; TESTOSTERONE; VOLES MICROTUS-OCHROGASTER; Multidisciplinary Sciences; MATERNAL-CARE; Science & Technology; HUMAN FATHERS; BRAIN; AMYGDALA; CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID; SYSTEM
• Research Categories: Psychology, Developmental; Biology, Neuroscience; Anthropology, Medical and Forensic

Abstract

Parents know the transformative nature of having and caring for a child. Among many mammals, giving birth leads from an aversion to infant stimuli to irresistible attraction. Here, we review the biological mechanisms governing this shift in parental motivation in mammals. Estrogen and progesterone prepare the uterus for embryo implantation and placental development. Prolactin stimulates milk production, whereas oxytocin initiates labor and triggers milk ejection during nursing. These same molecules, interacting with dopamine, also activate specific neural pathways to motivate parents to nurture, bond with, and protect their offspring. Parenting in turn shapes the neural development of the infant social brain. Recent work suggests that many of the principles governing parental behavior and its effect on infant development are conserved from rodent to humans.