Nutritional and Environmental Interactions in the Behavioral Development of the Rat: Long-Term Effects

TLDR

The study proposes two theoretical mechanisms to explain the behavioral effects of early malnutrition and environmental isolation in male rats. Dietary and environmental manipulations were applied during the first 7 weeks of life, followed by a 10‑week recovery period, and the authors propose two theoretical mechanisms to interpret the outcomes. Early malnutrition and environmental isolation produced behavioral changes, with isolation amplifying malnutrition effects, but providing additional early stimulation largely eliminated these effects.

Abstract

The behavioral effects of early malnutrition and early environmental isolation were observed in male rats. Dietary and environmental manipulations occurred during the first 7 weeks of life, after which followed a 10-week recovery period. On the basis of several different responses, it was found that the behavioral effects of early malnutrition were exaggerated by the environmental isolation. In most cases, the behavioral effects of early malnutrition were completely eliminated by supplying "additional stimulation" early in life. Two theoretical mechanisms are proposed to explain these findings.