Protocol to study dam-pup social transmission using a modified paradigm for transmission of food preference

STAR Protoc. 2024 Jun 21;5(2):103077. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103077. Epub 2024 Jun 6.

Abstract

The social transmission of food preference, a rudimentary form of social learning, has primarily been studied in pairs of adult rodents. Here, we present a protocol to explore the parent-offspring context in social learning using an adaptation of this classic paradigm for rodent dam-pup dyads. We describe steps for studying weanling mice from the same mother and present a worked example using weight-based (food consumption) and time-based (exploration) indices of social learning.

Keywords: Behavior; Cognitive Neuroscience; Developmental biology; Neuroscience.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Female
  • Food Preferences* / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Social Behavior
  • Social Learning / physiology