Preclinical studies evaluating the effects of gestational sleep restriction on maternal behavior are needed in order to provide information on the background mechanisms underlying this relationship. In this study, 32 female 90 days-old Wistar-Hannover rats were distributed in two groups: Control group (CTRL - n = 13), not subjected to any manipulation during pregnancy; and sleep restriction group (SR - n = 19) - subjected to sleep restriction during the whole pregnancy (21 days). Maternal behavioral analysis was conducted from postpartum day 1 (PPD1) to PPD7, based on observational ethograms. On PPD11 the animals were subjected to the grooming analysis algorithm, followed by the elevated plus maze. Results from an ethogram-based analysis indicated a decrease in self-grooming among sleep-deprived rats (denoting reduced anxiety-like behavior), but no significant differences were found in maternal behavior (except for a slight increase in high arched-back nursing). Controlled analysis detected an impairment in high-arched back nursing in sleep-deprived animals. The grooming microstructure analysis showed an increased frequency of incorrect transitions among sleep restricted animals, indicating increased anxiety-like behavior. No significant differences were observed in the elevated-plus maze. In conclusion, sleep-restricted pregnant rats display an equivalent or slightly increased maternal behavior during the postpartum period, when compared to control animals.

中文翻译：

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孕期睡眠限制对雌性大鼠产后母性行为的影响

需要评估妊娠睡眠限制对母亲行为的影响的临床前研究，以提供有关这种关系背后的背景机制的信息。本研究将32只90日龄雌性Wistar-Hannover大鼠分为两组：对照组（CTRL-n=13），孕期未进行任何操作；和睡眠限制组（SR - n = 19） - 在整个怀孕期间（21 天）进行睡眠限制。从产后第 1 天 (PPD1) 到 PPD7，基于观察性行为图进行了母亲行为分析。在 PPD11 上，对动物进行梳理分析算法，然后进行高架十字迷宫。基于 ethogram 的分析结果表明，睡眠剥夺大鼠的自我修饰减少（表明焦虑样行为减少），但在母亲的行为上没有发现显着差异（除了高弓背护理略有增加）。对照分析检测到睡眠剥夺动物的高弓背护理受损。修饰微观结构分析显示，睡眠受限动物的错误转换频率增加，表明焦虑样行为增加。在高架十字迷宫中没有观察到显着差异。总之，与对照动物相比，睡眠受限的怀孕大鼠在产后期间表现出同等或略微增加的母体行为。修饰微观结构分析显示，睡眠受限动物的错误转换频率增加，表明焦虑样行为增加。在高架十字迷宫中没有观察到显着差异。总之，与对照动物相比，睡眠受限的怀孕大鼠在产后期间表现出等效或略微增加的母体行为。修饰微观结构分析显示，睡眠受限动物的错误转换频率增加，表明焦虑样行为增加。在高架十字迷宫中没有观察到显着差异。总之，与对照动物相比，睡眠受限的怀孕大鼠在产后期间表现出等效或略微增加的母体行为。