This dataset is from "Bapat, V. A., Waters, R. C., Gordon, J. K., & Gould, E. (2026). Different early-life adversity paradigms have disparate effects on maternal care, neuronal activation, and social behavior in developing mice. Neurobiology of Stress,100788 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2026.100788".

Access this dataset on Dryad : DOI: 10.5061/dryad.jsxksn0rb

This study investigated the differential effects of two early life adversity (ELA) models ; maternal separation with early weaning (MSEW) and limited bedding and nesting (LBN) on maternal care, neuronal activation in ELA pups, and age- and sex-specific social recognition in ELA offspring over development and dorsal hippocampus structural plasticity measures associated with social recognition.

Available files

1. "Bapat_et_al.__2026_data_compilation.xlsx" : This data compilation excel sheet contains data tables corresponding to every graph from Bapat et al., 2026 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2026.100788. Each individual sheet in the excel file corresponds to data compiled from a figure.

2. "Bapat_et_al.__2026_resource_information.xlsx ": This excel file contains information regarding the experiments involved in each figure from Bapat et al., 2026 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2026.100788. This includes abbreviations, animal IDs, set up and video recording information for behavioral experiments, confocal or fluorescence microscopy information for immunohistochemistry, and all resource IDs for mice, antibodies, and equipment used.

   Note: Files 1 and 2 are organized and formatted to be compatible with GraphPad prism.

Confocal microscopy image files - There are compressed folders containing '.lif' files taken from Leica SP8, corresponding to panels D,F,J, and L from figure 4 from "Bapat et al., 2026 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2026.100788".

Each folder label contains information of the corresponding figure panel, markers used, brain region, and age of brain imaged. The files are organized into nested subfolders for different rearing conditions (control, MSEW, or LBN) and sexes. Additional information on the animal IDs and confocal microscopy settings can be found in - "Bapat et al., 2026_resource information/Figure 4".

File name format : "paper_figure_panel_age_histology markers"

1. Bapat_et_al.__2026_Figure_4_Panel_D_P21_WFA-PCP4_dCA2.zip: Images of perineuronal net marker WFA and CA2 marker PCP4 in postnatal day 21 CON, MSEW, or LBN reared mice
2. Bapat_et_al.__2026_Figure_4_Panel_F_P21_PV-PCP4_dCA2.zip : Images of parvalbumin positive cells and CA2 marker PCP4 in postnatal day 21 CON, MSEW, or LBN reared mice
3. Bapat_et_al.__2026_Figure_4_Panel_J_P45_WFA-PCP4_dCA2.zip : Images of perineuronal net marker WFA and CA2 marker PCP4 in postnatal day 45 CON, MSEW, or LBN reared mice
4. Bapat_et_al.__2026_Figure_4_Panel_L_P45_PV-PCP4_dCA2.zip : Images of parvalbumin positive cells and CA2 marker PCP4 in postnatal day 45 CON, MSEW, or LBN reared mice

Blank cells :

'null' (empty) - data not available due to missing raw data

'n/a' (not applicable) - cells in datasheets indicate blank cells due to unique n sizes across different groups.

Corresponding Figure Descriptions

Figure-wise data set references and dataset guide corresponding to Bapat et al., 2026:

There are 4 figures in the main text (1-4) and 3 supplemental figures (S1-S3). Here is the description of the data set in each figure and the location of corresponding information:

Figure 1

Data description : Analyses of maternal caregiving behaviors in control (CON) versus early life adversity rearing conditions - maternal separations with early weaning (MSEW) and limited bedding and nesting (LBN). The data sheet contains data from CON, MSEW, and LBN dams and table headings correspond to the maternal behavior measure analyzed and axis labels from Bapat et al., 2026

Format of available data : Datasheet

Location of dataset : Bapat et al., 2026_data compilation/Figure 1

Location of animal IDs and other resource information : Bapat et al., 2026_resource information/Figure 1

Figure 2

Data description : Quantification of c-fos+ cell density (an immediate early gene as a marker of neuronal activation) using immunohistochemistry in stress-sensitive and social recognition-linked brain regions of P7 pups in response to control, MSEW, or LBN rearing conditions. The data sheet contains data from CON, MSEW, and LBN, postnatal day 7 pups and table headings correspond to the brain region analyzed and axis labels from Bapat et al., 2026

Format of available data : Format of available data :Datasheet

Location of dataset : Bapat et al., 2026_data compilation/Figure 2

Location of animal IDs and other resource information: Bapat et al., 2026_resource information/Figure 2

Figure 3

Data description: Investigation of ELA induced (MSEW and LBN) age- and sex- specific effects on social recognition in ELA (MSEW and LBN) offspring over development using a direct social interaction test. The data sheet contains behavioral data CON, MSEW, and LBN offspring at postnatal day 21 and 45, and table headings correspond to the behavioral measure analyzed and axis labels from Bapat et al., 2026

Format of available data : Datasheet

Location of dataset : Bapat et al., 2026_data compilation/Figure 3

Location of animal IDs and other resource information: Bapat et al., 2026_resource information/Figure 3

Figure 4

Data description : Investigation of ELA (MSEW and LBN) induced age- and sex- specific effects on dorsal hippocampal plasticity measures associated with regulation of social recognition including hippocampal stem cells, perineuronal nets (PNNs), and parvalbumin positive (PV+) cells, using immunohistochemistry. The data sheet contains histological data from CON, MSEW, and LBN offspring at postnatal day 21 and 45. The table headings correspond to the histological marker analyzed, age of mice, and axis labels from Bapat et al., 2026

Format of available data :Datasheet and confocal images

Location of dataset : Bapat et al., 2026_data compilation/Figure 4

Location of animal IDs and other resource information: Bapat et al., 2026_resource information/Figure 4

Figure S1

Data description :Additional analyses of maternal behaviors in control versus ELA rearing conditions - MSEW and LBN. The data sheet contains data from CON, MSEW, and LBN dams, and table headings correspond to the maternal behavior measure analyzed and axis labels from Bapat et al., 2026

Format of available data : Datasheet

Location of dataset : Bapat et al., 2026_data compilation/Figure S1

Location of animal IDs and other resource information: Bapat et al., 2026_resource information/Figure S1

Figure S2

Data description: Comparison of abdominal body surface temperatures in P7 and P11 pups experiencing control versus MSEW or LBN rearing conditions. The data sheet contains data from CON,MSEW, and LBN postnatal day 7 and 11 pups and table headings correspond to the temperature measurements and axis labels from Bapat et al., 2026

Format of available data : Datasheet

Location of dataset : Bapat et al., 2026_data compilation/Figure S2

Location of animal IDs and other resource information: Bapat et al., 2026_resource information/Figure S2

Figure S3

Data description: Quantification of c-fos+ cell density (an immediate early gene as a marker of neuronal activation) in hippocampal subregions not directly associated with social recognition in P7 pups in response to control, MSEW, or LBN rearing conditions. The data sheet contains data from CON, MSEW, and LBN postnatal day 7 pups and table headings correspond to the brain region analyzed and axis labels from Bapat et al., 2026

Format of available data : Datasheet

Location of dataset : Bapat et al., 2026_data compilation/Figure S3

Location of animal IDs and other resource information: Bapat et al., 2026_resource information/Figure S3

Variable Information

List of variables and abbreviations for column headings in datasheets (more details can be found in "Bapat et al., 2026_resource information")

List of variables

Time on nest : time spent by dam on nest or region in cage where pups are huddled (for LBN)

Time off nest : time spent by dam away from nest region in cage where pups are huddled (for LBN)

Maternal separations : time spent in maternal separations as part of the MSEW rearing experience

Lights-OFF : recordings during room lights off during the 12h light phase (8am to 8pm)

Lights-ON : recordings during room lights on during the 12h light phase (8pm to 8am)

Novel : 'Novel' trial or trial 1 from the direct social interaction test involving interaction with novel conspecific

Familiar : 'Familiar' trial or trial 2 from the direct social interaction test involving interaction with now familiar conspecific

Male : male mice from each respective group

Female : female mice from each respective group

P21 : Referring to mice age - postnatal day 21

P45 : Referring to mice age - postnatal day 45

P3 : Referring to mice age - postnatal day 3

P4 : Referring to mice age - postnatal day 4

P6: Referring to mice age - postnatal day 6

P10 : Referring to mice age - postnatal day 10

P13 : Referring to mice age - postnatal day 13

P7 :Referring to mice age - postnatal day 7

P11 :Referring to mice age - postnatal day 11

AMY : amygdala

PC : parietal cortex

dDG : dorsal dentate gyrus

dCA2-CA3 : dorsal CA2 and CA3

vCA1 : ventral CA1

dCA1 : dorsal CA1

vDG : ventral dentate gyrus

vCA2-CA3 : ventral CA2 and CA3

Software

Recommended software for data analysis : All data files are organized into format compatible with GraphPad prism.