*5.5. Experimental Groups*

Lactating rats were divided into four groups (*n* = 6) that received the following treatments on post-natal (PN) day 2 (PN2), 10 (PN10) and PN16:


All the mothers were submitted to injections in PN2, PN10 and PN16, with 0.9% NaCl or venom according to the treatment group, so that all went through the same handling stress.
