Effect of early experience on behavior and immune response in the rat.

The effect of maternal deprivation (MD) and preweaning handling on open field (OF) behavior, body and organ weights (spleen, thymus, and adrenals), and humoral immune response (plaque-forming cell response and antibody production) in adult male and female Wistar rats was studied. Maternal deprivation took place either for 28 postnatal days (2 h/day), or on days 15, 18, and 21 (2 h/day), whereas handling was performed daily during 28 postnatal days for 3 min. Sex differences were found both in behavior and immune response. The MD rats showed ambulatory hyperactivity in OF tests, females being more active than males, and a marked suppression of the PFC response. Handled rat's behavior was distinguishable from MD rats by an increased curiosity. Female handled rats were more active in the OF and their antibody production was higher. Male handled rats showed higher defecation scores and lower plaque-forming cell response. These results present evidence for a deprivation syndrome and immunosuppressive behavior in MD rats. Several mechanisms that may account for these immunobehavioral results are outlined.