TY - JOUR T1 - The programming of individual differences in defensive responses and reproductive strategies in the rat through variations in maternal care. JF - Neurosci Biobehav Rev Y1 - 2005 A1 - Cameron, N. M. A1 - Champagne, F. A. A1 - Parent, C. A1 - Fish, E. W. A1 - Ozaki-Kuroda, K. A1 - Meaney, M. J. KW - Adaptation, Physiological KW - Animals KW - Behavior, Animal KW - Defense Mechanisms KW - Humans KW - Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System KW - Individuality KW - Maternal Behavior KW - Phenotype KW - Pituitary-Adrenal System KW - Rats KW - Reproduction KW - Reproductive Behavior KW - Stress, Psychological AB -

There are profound maternal effects on individual differences in defensive responses and reproductive strategies in species ranging literally from plants to insects to birds. Maternal effects commonly reflect the quality of the environment and are most likely mediated by the quality of the maternal provision (egg, propagule, etc.), which in turn determines growth rates and adult phenotype. In this paper, we review data from the rat that suggest comparable forms of maternal effects on both defensive responses to threat and reproductive behavior and which are mediated by variations in maternal behavior. Ultimately, we will need to contend with the reality that neural development, function and health are defined by social and economic influences.

VL - 29 IS - 4-5 ER -