*2.2. Retrieval Test*

The test was performed only on PN2 because, over the first week postpartum, the pups are able to move around and the mother ceases to exhibit the behavior of picking them up, and the frequency of licking/grooming and arched-back nursing decreases [15,26].

In the V2 group, dams that failed to group the litter during the test period demonstrated higher latencies to retrieve pups. In V10 and V16 groups, the mothers behaved similarly to the control group (Figure 2).

**Figure 2.** Assessment of mothers in retrieval test after the treatment. Ct injected with 0.9% NaCl in PN2, PN10 and PN16. V2 injected with *T. serrulatus* venom in PN2 and 0.9% NaCl in PN10 and PN16. V10 injected with *T. serrulatus* venom in PN10 and 0.9% NaCl in PN2 and PN16. V16 injected with *T. serrulatus* venom in PN16 and 0.9% NaCl in PN2 and PN10. (*n* = 6 females per group). (**a**) Latency to retrieve the first pup. (**b**) Latency to retrieve the last pup. (**c**) Number of retrieved pups. Data are expressed as means ± SEM. (\*) *p* < 0.001 compared to the control group (Two-way ANOVA).
