Table 2.

Impact of dietary methyl donor content on pregnancy outcomes and maternal behavior^a

	Phase	LR-pCON	LR-pDEP	Statistical effects	HR-pCON	HR-pDEP	Statistical effects
Arched-back nursing	Light	5.097 ± 0.293	7.177 ± 0.346	bp < 0.0001, F(1,34) = 42.02	4.357 ± 0.348	5.865 ± 0.516	cp < 0.0001, F(1,10) = 34.89
	Dark	2.28 ± 0.205	3.920 ± 0.303	cp = 0.0113, F(1,34) = 112.1	2.321 ± 0.834	1.539 ± 0.610
Passive nursing	Light	0.948 ± 0.111	1.025 ± 0.265	NS	2.881 ± 0.438	2.012 ± 0.392	cp < 0.0001, F(1,10) = 62.42
	Dark	0.626 ± 0.111	1.161 ± 0.160		0.272 ± 0.165	0.297 ± 0.196
Licking/grooming	Light	0.857 ± 0.088	0.387 ± 0.048	bp = 0.0013, F(1,34) = 12.34	1.190 ± 0.214	0.607 ± 0.168	bp = 0.0318, F(1,20) = 5.325
	Dark	0.955 ± 0.102	0.75 ± 0.118	cp = 0.0222, F(1,34) = 5.745	1.560 ± 0.311	0.842 ± 0.383
Self-directed behaviors (eat, self-groom, drink)	Light	0.266 ± 0.0389	0.237 ± 0.036	bp = 0.0385, F(1,34) = 4.634	1.083 ± 0.184	0.690 ± 0.149	bp = 0.0061, F(1,10) = 12.00
	Dark	1.097 ± 0.083	0.836 ± 0.089	cp < 0.0001, F(1,34) = 112.3	3.272 ± 0.234	1.956 ± 0.496	cp = 0.0005, F(1,10) = 25.33
Resting away from nest	Light	2.688 ± 0.231	0.766 ± 0.166	bp < 0.0001, F(1,34) = 60.34	1.405 ± 0.336	0.548 ± 0.342	cp = 0.0251, F(1,10) = 2.227
	Dark	2.319 ± 0.179	1.036 ± 0.210		0.397 ± 0.136	0.344 ± 0.208

^aValues are mean ± SE for maternal behavior scores during the first 2 weeks postpartum for each experimental group. From gestational day 17 through weaning at postnatal day 21, HR/LR dams were fed a DEP or CON. The experiment was run in two phases: an LR phase followed by an HR phase, applying the DEP/CON conditions to LR and HR dams, respectively. Data from two phases were analyzed separately. Groups were compared by two-way ANOVA, with diet and time of day (light or dark phase) as independent factors. NS, nonsignificant p values >0.05 for statistical comparisons.

^bMain effect of diet.

^cTime (light or dark phase).