Final answer:
Rats whose mothers were attentive and licked them more frequently as pups tend to have lower levels of stress hormones.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rats whose mothers were attentive and licked them more frequently as pups tend to have lower levels of stress hormones. This was demonstrated in a study where rat pups received either abusive or normal treatment during postnatal days 8-12. The abusive treatment resulted in depressive-like symptoms during adolescence and increased activation of the amygdala. This suggests that maternal care plays a role in the development of stress responses in rats.