Neonatal exposure to sevoflurane in mice caused deficits in maternal behaviors later in adulthood. The aspects of maternal behaviors were assessed on the day of parturition. The same sets of mice were used in all tests shown in figure 2 (control dams, n = 11; sevoflurane-treated dams, n = 10). (A) Pups nursed by control dams (Cont) had milk in their digestive tract (arrow), whereas pups nursed by sevoflurane-treated dams (Sevo) did not. (B) Ratio of pups with or without milk in the digestive tract. (C) Ratio of cleaned or poorly cleaned pups. (D–F) Representative images of nests made by sevoflurane-treated mice and controls. (D) A control dam built a crater-like hollow with high banks, and no pups were scattered outside of the nest. (E) When the dam was removed from the nest, pups under the crouching dam in the deep bottom were apparent. Sevoflurane-treated dams built much shallower or flat nests. (F) Significantly more pups were scattered outside of the nest. (G) The nest quality scores (grade 0–3). (H) Percentage of scattered pups outside of the nest. (I) Time spent crouching over the pups in the nest. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 (t test).