Maternal neglect with reduced depressive-like behavior and blunted c-fos activation in Brattleboro mothers, the role of central vasopressin

► The behavior of vasopressin-deficient Brattleboro mother rats was studied. ► They showed disturbed spontaneous maternal and better depressive-like behavior. ► Reduced c-fos activation of some brain areas may stand in the background. ► Conflicting behavioral data underscores the need for more sex specific studies.