Use of the light-dark box to compare the anxiety-related behavior of virgin and postpartum female rats

► Reexamines use of light-dark box to compare anxiety between diestrous virgin and postpartum rats. ► Diestrous virgin and postpartum groups did differ in measures of anxiety. ► Differences were affected by recent litter contact and GABAA receptor activity. ► Confirms light-dark box as useful to detect the anxiety changes associated with motherhood.