Fig. 1: Analysis of maternal behavior after prenatal stress exposure.

Maternal behavior was assessed every other day from PND1 to PND9 in control (CT) and stressed dams (PNS). The following parameters were measured: maternal behaviors directed to the pups or self-directed (A), arched-back nursing (B), licking and grooming (C), passive nursing (D), and nest exits (E). The total number of observations are shown in each panel. As for arched-back nursing and nest exits data are also shown across the observation period (panels F and G, respectively). The data are presented as the mean ± SEM of an average of observations from all days (panels A, B, C, and D) or from each day (panels F and G), n = 6–9 per group. Statistical analysis for panel (A): Effect of behavior direction p < 0.0001 (two-way ANOVA), independently of gestational exposure. Statistical analysis for panels (B–D): **p < 0.01, Student’s t-test. Statistical analysis for panels (F) and (G): area under the curve (AUC) for CT x PNS, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.0001; multiple t tests, *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.