Mother of all stories: Maternal instincts
It is Mothers Day 5/10/09. I am aware of maternal issues. The message in Church today was centered on mothering, mentoring and maturing of the next generation. I was ruminating and was struck by the similarities of mothers in most species. Mothers bring forth new life either by physically carrying fetuses in utero as mammals; some snakes deliver live offspring, of course egg laying snakes, birds and the oddity of the Duckbilled Platypus having a clutch of eggs. This mammal requires a 10 day incubation period outside of the mother. She nurtures them in a burrow for approximately four months before they are introduced to their environment. In pipefish and sea horses, the female transfers her eggs to the male, and the male then carries and incubates them. The males in this case are in charge of raising the offspring.
The common denominator in all species is the basic drive to be a mother. This biological event is in response to 17-ketosteroids as a result from endocrine system processing. Gender differences cause variations in males and females. There truly is a difference in production, end organ receptor effect and physical masculine and feminine outward appearance. Masculine males are well muscled and looking to protect their females. Terms such as a rank stallion or a raging bull allow you to visualize the effect of testosterone, a male17-ketosteroid. Species vary in the number of females males are allowed to tend to in a natural wild state. This may be a single match or in a group species. A group example would be a herd of cows or horses. A single match example is the Canadian goose where pairing is for life.
One of the feminine effects of 17-ketosteroids is to put curves where they are supposed to be. Facial features in most species show daintiness or a prettiness which highlights gentler angle smoothness. The best visual for this is the facial features of a Jersey cow, a soft dished face with big doe eyes. There are other physical changes in female mammals from the endocrine secretions known as hormones. Estrogen and progesterone have different temporary effects depending on which part of the reproductive cycle you are looking at. There are releases or surges that will initiate a pregnancy. There are hormones that will increase and decrease depending if it is the front, middle or end of gestation (pregnancy). The pelvic bones loosen ligament attachment to bones in anticipation of delivery. The mammary glands will enlarge and develop the ability to secrete a lactation product we know as milk. This starts with pregnancy and becomes active about the time of delivery. The term "waxing" is used in mares as the result of colostrum being secreted from pre-delivery contractions (Braxton Hicks) and oxytocin effects. Uterine muscle and muscles in the mammary system are responsive to oxytocin level changes. The colostrum contains the immune system protection not transferred in the womb. Because it is specialized it is more viscous than later milk. The contractions cause nipple leakage and a drying that can bee seen. This usually is seen about 48 hours prior to foaling. Some mares are not aware of this rule and leak all of their antibody protection out before delivery. A foal from this mare would be at risk of not being able to fight off diseases and bacteria if it does not live for the four months needed to develop its own active immune system. Acquired immune system deficits would be a topic for anther article.
The term maternal instinct usually depicts a warm happy Disney type story. There are mothers of all species that have the biological right by definition and delivery to be called mother. There are some that lack anything to do with the process of mothering. Dogs, cats, horses, cows and pigs will do devastating things to a newborn of their species. It usually is the ones they have just delivered. Just because they have the equipment and were responding to biology does not give them an aptitude for mothering. Fortunately this is not the norm; the vast majority delivers and continues as if they were born just for this opportunity.
I have had cases where Veterinary care and attention need to be given at or just after the time of delivery. There is a certain protocol to be followed for each species one is attending. I fear no animal, but in some instances I do allocate more respect than others. Walking in to a stall with a hormonal twelve hundred pound mare or cow pales in comparison to the same attempt with a sow. She is sure her piglets that are being molested and certainly going to be eaten by this human predator. Pound for pound a sow with newborn piglets gets my vote for the toughest mother to fool with. I one time climbed an unscalable wall to seek refuge from a very mad not so small sow. I was ahead of my time, I did not recognize this as an early introduction to a "rock climbing wall".
People think animals do not show love. My experience shows how explosively and quick mothers are willing to put their life on the line for their young. I can not define love any stronger or better than this action.
Functions animal mothers perform are continuation of the species. They protect the young from danger. Moms feed, furnish nutrition, and teach life skills.
Our Mothers do all of the above definitions. They also teach us about Faith, right from wrong, devotion to duty, honesty, performance of duties every time, your reputation depends on effort & outcome, and to be passionate about what you believe in.
Moms give us life, legacy and love.
Thanks Mom.
For more information about a specific case, consult your veterinarian.