SEVERE UNDERNUTRITION IN EARLY INFANCY AND BEHAVIOR IN REHABILITATED ALBINO RATS

To determine the effect of undernutrition in early life on behavior in mature rats, albino pups were nursed in litters of 16 by an undernourished dam and weaned to a diet of 3% casein for a total of 3, 5, 7 or 9 weeks of severe undernutrition before being rehabilitated on a diet of 18% casein. From 16-18 weeks male animals were subjected to behavioral tests. Undernourished rats were more active (p<0.01) and reared less often in an exploratory box (p<0.05) and less often unsupported by the side of the box (p<0.01) than adequately nourished controls. Differences in learning capacity as measured by avoidance learning were not significant. There were no differences in neuromuscular coordination, emotionality or exploratory behavior. © 1968.