Why might cross-fostering be used in laboratory settings?

Cross-fostering is often employed in laboratory settings primarily to prevent maternal neglect. This practice involves transferring pups from one mother to another, typically when a biological mother is not able to adequately care for her offspring due to issues such as insufficient milk production, health problems, or stress. By placing the pups with a different, more capable mother, researchers can ensure that the young animals receive necessary care, nutrition, and warmth, which are essential for their development and overall survival.

This method helps maintain the health of the pups, allowing researchers to gather reliable data from healthy subjects. It's particularly important in breeding programs or studies where the survival and well-being of the animals are critical. Cross-fostering aids in ensuring that the research population remains robust and that variables related to maternal care do not confound experimental results.