The significance of maternal care for the formation of ethanol preference in rats periodically separated from mothers during the first half of the nest period.

The relationship between the process of ethanol preference formation in rat pups periodically separated from mothers during the first half of the nest period and the intensity of maternal behavior of females was studied. The progeny of females with poor maternal behavior and/or separated from mothers is characterized by slow somatic development and high level of ethanol consumption. The quality of maternal care was inessential for the formation of ethanol preference in rats separated from mothers.