Effect of reduced suckling stimulation on the duration of nursing in the rabbit.

The duration of the daily nursing episode was studied in five rabbits from Day 3 to Day 22 postpartum. Over the first 5 days there was a decrease in the mean duration from 225 sec. to 150 sec. Over the next 10 days it remained steady at about 150 sec. Second, five does were subjected to treatments which were intended to reduce suckling stimulation. Such treatments increased the duration of nursing. Following most treatments does nursed twice in the course of a single day. It was concluded that suckling stimulation, in addition to its role in the milk-ejection reflex, is important both in terminating a nursing episode and in inhibiting further displays of nursing behavior until the following day.